Ed-Dikke synagogue

Ancient synagogue (Khirbet ed-Dikke)
Shown within Israel relief
Region Golan Heights
Coordinates
History
Founded c. 460 CE
Site notes
Excavation dates 1905
Archaeologists Gottlieb Schumacher; H. Kohl & C. Watzinger
Condition ruin

The ed-Dikke Synagogue, located 3km north of the Sea of Galilee on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, was an ancient synagogue dating from around the 5th century CE.[1]

History

The synagogue, located at a site known as Khirbet ed-Dikke, was first identified by Gottlieb Schumacher in the 1880s.[2] In 1905, H. Kohl & C. Watzinger briefly investigated the site.[3]

The building is thought to date form c. 460 CE[4] and consists of a prayer hall measuring approx. 11 m (36 ft) by 14 m (46 ft). It was divided into three aisles by two rows of four columns each.[5]

References

  1. ^ Khirbet Dikke and the Synagogues in and around Bethsaida Valley (Archaostyle Scientific Series 7), Qazrin 2009: Archaostyle (191 pp; 58 illustrations; 1 map)
  2. ^ Ramat Ha-Golan, Jewish Virtual Library.
  3. ^ Michael Avi-Yonah (1978). Encyclopedia of archaeological excavations in the Holy Land. Prentice-Hall. p. 457. ISBN 9780132751230. http://books.google.com/books?id=O6ptAAAAMAAJ. Retrieved 3 October 2010. 
  4. ^ Milson, D., “Byzantine Architects at Work at Herodium, Palaestina Prima”, LA 39 (1989) 209.
  5. ^ Günter Stemberger (2000). Jews and Christians in the Holy Land: Palestine in the fourth century. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 131. ISBN 9780567086990. http://books.google.com/books?id=tu7esOXinfkC&pg=PA131. Retrieved 3 October 2010.