The synagogue is in a basilica plan, oriented north south. Three entrences were located at the south facade. A cortyard with a cistern in its center is located infront of the facade. The synagogue is divided by two rows of six columns and one pilaster in each row, into a main nave and two aisles. The floor of the first phase of the first stage (A1) covered with a plaster, The second phase (A2) covered with mosaic probably depict David, with the weapons he took from Goliath (1Sam. 17:24). At the second phase (B) the floor was covered with a stone pavement. benches were found along the long walls. two bemas were built flanking the main In the third stage (C) the synagogue underwent basic renovation. The facade was transferred to the north and three new entrances were added. while the south facade was rebuilt and its three entrances blocked up. Part of the staircase leading to the gallery was uncovered in this phase. A storeroom with vaulted roof adjoined the synagogue on the west, under it was found the synagogue's treasury contained 485 coins. The courtyard was turned into a Beth Midrash. The ceiling was supported by two arches, the hall was coated with high-quality painted plaster. The floor covered with a mosaic. Benches were found along the walls, in the bench of the western wall there is a recess, apparently for the chair of the leading scholar. The portici turned to a classroom for childern.
Name/Title
Meroth Synagogue | Unknown
Object
Object Detail
General view
Settings
Unknown
Date
Late 4th-7th CE
Active dates
Reconstruction dates
Artist/ Maker
Unknown (Unknown)
Origin
Historical Origin
Unknown
Community type
Congregation
Unknown
Location
Unknown |
Site
School/Style
Unknown|
Period
Unknown
Period Detail
Collection
Unknown |
Documentation / Research project
Unknown
Category
Material / Technique
Stone
Material Stucture
Material Decoration
Material Bonding
Material Inscription
Material Additions
Material Cloth
Material Lining
Tesserae Arrangement
Density
Colors
Construction material
Measurements
Height
17.9
Length
Width
11.4
Depth
Circumference
Thickness
Diameter
Weight
Axis
Panel Measurements
Subject
Unknown |
Condition
Extant
Documented by CJA
Surveyed by CJA
Present Usage
Present Usage Details
Condition of Building Fabric
Architectural Significance type
Historical significance: Event/Period
Historical significance: Collective Memory/Folklore
Historical significance: Person
Architectural Significance: Style
Architectural Significance: Artistic Decoration
Urban significance
Significance Rating
Textual Content
Unknown |
Languages of inscription
Unknown
Shape / Form
Unknown
0
Ornamentation
Custom
Contents
Codicology
Scribes
Script
Number of Lines
Ruling
Pricking
Quires
Catchwords
Hebrew Numeration
Blank Leaves
Direction/Location
Façade (main)
Endivances
Location of Torah Ark
Location of Apse
Location of Niche
Location of Reader's Desk
Location of Platform
Temp: Architecture Axis
Arrangement of Seats
Location of Women's Section
Direction Prayer
Direction Toward Jerusalem
Coin
Coin Series
Coin Ruler
Coin Year
Denomination
Signature
Colophon
Scribal Notes
Watermark
Hallmark
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
Trade Mark
Binding
Decoration Program
Summary and Remarks
Remarks
Suggested Reconsdivuction
History/Provenance
Maroth is located in the northeastern Upper Galilee. An excavation at the site carried out by Z.Ilan (1983-1987), and with E.Damti (1984-1987), on behalf of the Israel Deparment of Antiquities and Museums. The synagogue has three phases (A,B,C) The chronological sequence of the phases based according staratigrafical consideration of the excavatores: The first phase (A) has two stages. the first stage (A1) is dated to 400-450c.e. The second stage (A2) is dated to 450-500c.e. The second phase (B) is dated to 500-650, and the third phase (C) is dated from 650 till 1200. Meroth was mentioned by Josephus as the settelment marking the northern boundery of the Upper Galileeat the end of the second Temple period (War III,40), and as one of the settelments fortified in 66 CE during the Jewish War against the Romans (war II,573;Life 188).
Main Surveys & Excavations
Bibliography
Short Name
Full Name
Volume
Page
Type
Documenter
| R.B.A. 1994
Author of description
|
Architectural Drawings
|
Computer Reconstruction
|
Section Head
|
Language Editor
|
Donor
|
Object Copyright
Negative/Photo. No.
036064