Hurvat Zmimrah (originally Khirbat Zmimrah), also Zumeimira, is an archaeological site in the center of the Golan Heights, where the remains of a Jewish[1] settlement from the Talmudic period and an ancient synagogue[2] were discovered.
Geography edit
The ruins are located about six kilometers south of Katzrin, two kilometers north of the meeting point of Nahal Zavitan with Meshushim River, and above the steep western bank of Nahal Zavitan.
Archeology edit
The archeological discoveries on the site include the remains of an ancient synagogue, with architectural items typical of synagogues in the area, such as: ashlars and column capitals.[1] other findings are building walls and at least two oil presses.[1]
A basalt tablet with an engraving of a seven branched menorah and the four species was also discovered at the site, as well as a relief of a lion, which probably decorated the Torah ark in the building.[2]
Another synagogue from the Talmudic period was also discovered in the ruins of Asallia, about two kilometers north of the site.
References edit
- ^ a b c "בתי כנסת עתיקים בגולן- אומנות ואדריכלות". The Bornblum Eretz Israel Synagogues Website (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-03-31.
- ^ a b "בתי כנסת קדומים ברמת הגולן / דפנה וערן מאיר ; [עורכת רות פלג ; העורך המדעי - צבי אורי מעוז] | מאיר, דפנה (מאיר, ערן | מאיר, ערן ;פלג, רות ;מעוז, צבי אורי ;יד יצחק בן צבי (ירושלים) | הספרייה הלאומית". www.nli.org.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-03-31.
Further reading edit
- A. Schiller, Ariel: Journal for the Knowledge of the Land of Israel, Issue 50 - The Golan, 5777-1987, p. 156.