Discover a stunning 1600 year old biblical mosaic in an ancient Galilean village

14. 01. 2021
6th international conference of exopolitics, history and spirituality

During excavations led by Professor Jodi Magness of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a 1600-year-old biblical mosaic triptych made of small stone cubes (or tesserae) was discovered in a synagogue in the ancient Galilean village of Huqoq in Israel.

Discovery and its first depiction

"We have uncovered the very first depiction of the Elim episode that ever appeared in ancient Jewish art," said Dr. Magness. The discovery comes shortly after the discovery of earlier mosaic finds in the same place, depicting the Tower of Babel, Jonah and the Whale and the Division of the Red Sea.

Dr. Magness, along with a team of scientists and students, unveiled the first ancient Jewish depiction of the Elim episode of the Book of Exodus. The mosaic captures the experiences of the Israelites staying in Elim after leaving Egypt and their journey through the wilderness without water, which is described in Exodus 15:27. Chapter 15 and verse 27 describe the place of Elim, in which the exiled Israelites sought refuge after an exhausting journey.

A mosaic in the ancient Huqoq Synagogue, depicting the construction of the Tower of Babel. (Jim Haberman, photo UNC-Chapel Hill)

"In Eli, the Israelites encamped after leaving Egypt and wandering the desert without water," Dr. Magness said. Biblical mosaics discovered in a 5th-century synagogue depict a scene from the book of Exodus. Chapter 15 and verse 27 describe the place of Elim, where the Israelites in exile sought refuge after exhausting travel.

Mosaic of the Division of the Red Sea in the ancient synagogue in Huqoqu. (Jim Haberman, photo UNC-Chapel Hill)

Magness said the Elim panel "is interesting because it is generally considered a relatively minor episode of the Israelites' journey in the desert, raising the question of why it was important to this particular Jewish congregation in the Lower Galilee."

The whole mosaic, depicting Jonah swallowed by a whale in the ancient synagogue in Huqoq. (Jim Haberman, photo UNC-Chapel Hill)

Mosaic

Dr. Magness told the Jewish press: "The mosaic is divided into three horizontal stripes or registers. We see farmers in loincloths harvesting tufts of dates, which are then sent down the ropes held by other men. The middle bar shows a series of wells alternating with date palms. On the left side of the panel, a man in a short tunic carries a water container and enters an arched city gate lined with battlemented towers. The inscription above the gate reads, "And they came to Eli."

Detail from the newly discovered Elim Mosaic. (Jim Haberman, photo: UNC-Chapel Hill)

The university has been excavating this site for nine years. Other mosaics were also uncovered here. Another important discovery: "Chapter 7 in Daniel's book describes the four animals, which represent the four kingdoms, lasting until the end of days," said Dr. Magness. "This year, our team discovered mosaics in the north alley of the synagogue, depicting these four animals, as indicated by a fragmentary Aramaic inscription referring to the first animal: a lion with eagle wings. The lion itself, like the third animal, has not been preserved. However, the second beast of Daniel 7: 4 — a bear with three ribs protruding from its mouth — has survived. Likewise, most of the fourth animal, which is described in Daniel 7: 7 as having iron teeth. "

Daniel in the Lion's Den. Briton Rivière, 1890

Historical records of the exodus of Jews from Egypt have been the subject of much debate. The May / June 2016 issue of the Biblical Archeology Review addresses both questions - "Did Exodus Really Occur?" And "When Did the Exodus Occur?" exodus during the Ramessid period during the reign of the Egyptian 13th dynasty.

The article examines Egyptian texts, artifacts, and archaeological sites that show that the Bible does describe memories from the 13th century BC.

Biblical mosaics were removed from the site for conservation and the exposed areas were re-buried. Excavations are expected to continue in the summer of 2020. Sponsors of the project are UNC-Chapel Hill, Austin College, Baylor University, Brigham Young University and the University of Toronto. We are committed to completing the excavations in the synagogue before handing the site back to the State of Israel. We hope that in the future they will complete its modifications and open it to the public, "said Dr. Magness.

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