Understanding the history of the late Roman synagogue at Huqoq in Israel's Galilee through radiocarbon dating and observations on site formation
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Archaeological findings at the Huqoq synagogue in northern Israel challenge previous dating. Radiocarbon and pottery analyses suggest construction in the late Roman period (4th-5th centuries CE), not the 2nd-3rd centuries CE.
Area Of Science
- Archaeology
- Ancient History
- Art History
Background
- Galilean-type synagogues in northern Israel have been historically dated to the 2nd-3rd centuries CE based on stylistic analysis.
- This traditional chronology is influenced by the assumption that monumental synagogues predated the early 4th-century Christian rule.
- Stratigraphic evidence from pottery and coins suggests a later construction period, from the 4th to 6th centuries CE.
Purpose Of The Study
- To accurately determine the construction date of a Galilean-type synagogue through controlled stratigraphic excavation.
- To integrate radiocarbon dating and micromorphological analysis with existing archaeological data.
- To re-evaluate the chronology of Galilean-type synagogues in light of new evidence.
Main Methods
- Controlled stratigraphic excavation of the Huqoq synagogue.
- Systematic collection of pottery and coin samples for dating.
- Radiocarbon dating of organic materials.
- Micromorphological analysis of fill deposits.
Main Results
- Radiocarbon ages align with pottery data, indicating the Huqoq synagogue's construction in the late 4th to early 5th centuries CE (late Roman period).
- Analysis of later fill deposits from the early 14th century (Mamluk period) did not accurately reflect the stratigraphic sequence.
- The findings support an architectural innovation dating to the later Roman period.
Conclusions
- The construction date of the Huqoq synagogue is revised to the late Roman period.
- The study challenges the traditional dating of Galilean-type synagogues.
- Stratigraphic and scientific dating methods provide a more accurate understanding of ancient construction periods.
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