samson mosaic

samson mosaic Latest

Mar 2 Blog

Bible Animals: From Hyenas to Hippos

By: Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin

Lions and crocodiles and monkeys, oh my! There are about a hundred different types of animal species mentioned in the Bible.

Dec 3 Blog

Ancient Synagogues in Israel and the Diaspora

By: Megan Sauter

Were there synagogues before the Romans destroyed the Temple, or did they develop only afterward? Communal structures from the Second Temple period have been discovered, but should they be considered synagogues even though they don’t share the major architectural feature common to post-destruction synagogues?

Jul 18 Blog

First Person: The Sun God in the Synagogue

By: Hershel Shanks

The 92nd Street Y in New York City called me a few months ago, asking me to speak. We discussed possible topics, and I finally chose “What’s a Greek God Doing in an Ancient Synagogue?” They also agreed to my asking two real experts to join me on the platform: Jodi Magness of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Steve Fine of Yeshiva University. We had a good time—and so did the enthusiastic audience—but we didn’t solve the problem, at least to my mind.

Jul 4 Blog

Jewish Worship, Pagan Symbols

By: Walter Zanger

What are zodiac mosaics doing in ancient synagogues in Israel?

Sep 8 Blog

A Samson Mosaic from Huqoq

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Jodi Magness's excavations at Huqoq have exposed an elaborate Samson mosaic as well as new insights into the development of ancient synagogues.

Apr 29 Blog

Explore the Huqoq Mosaics

By: BAS Staff

Season after season, archaeologists have uncovered stunning mosaics at Huqoq’s synagogue in Galilee.

Jul 12 Blog

Huqoq Mosaic Depicts Israelite Spies from Numbers 13

By: Robin Ngo

The 2018 season of excavation at a Late Roman synagogue at Huqoq revealed more fascinating mosaics, including one referencing Numbers 13:23.

Aug 2 Blog

Huqoq 2017: Mosaics of Jonah and the Whale, the Tower of Babel and More

By: Nicola McCutcheon

The 2017 excavation season at Huqoq unearthed more stunning mosaics depicting Greco-Roman and Biblical scenes, including the story of Jonah and the whale and the construction of the Tower of Babel.

Dec 13 Blog

2016 BAS Scholarship Winners

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Straight from the field to you, hear from the individuals who were awarded BAS dig scholarships in 2016.

Sep 14 Blog

Alexander the Great in an Ancient Synagogue?

By: Robin Ngo

A stunning 1,500-year-old mosaic that might depict a meeting between Alexander the Great and the Jewish high priest has been revealed in full.

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