Undiscovered in an area believed to be Mary Magdalene’s birthplace, the synagogue of a 2,000-year-old church has been discovered. This woman is mentioned in the Bible in connection with Jesus’ followers.
They were discovered in Magdala which is an ancient Jewish village dating back to the Second Temple period, on the western shores of Galilee.
This ancient city is known for its role as the main rebel base of Flavius Josephus, a commander during the First Jewish War against the Romans.
In a statement, Dina Avshalom Gorni, an excavation director at the University of Haifa said that the discovery “casts light upon the social and religious lives of Jews in the region in this period and reflects the need for a dedicated structure for Torah study and Torah reading, as well as for social gatherings,”.
“We can picture Mary Magdalene with her family visiting the synagogue here to take part in communal and religious events, alongside other Magdala residents.”
Uncovering a synagogue from 2,000 years ago in a place believed to be Mary Magdalene’s birthplace, the town was discovered. This woman is mentioned in the Bible and described as being one of Jesus’ followers.
This synagogue has a central hall as well two rooms. It is made of plaster, volcanic basalt, limestone, and plaster.
The Times of Israel reported that a stone bench featuring images of a seven-branched menorah was located in one of the small rooms.
The roof was supported by six pillars, while some plaster walls had colorful decorations.
Archaeologists also discovered many artifacts such as pottery candle holders and molded glass bowls.
According to the Bible, Mary Magdalene is a prostitute that changes her ways after meeting Jesus.
This is also the second sacred temple uncovered in the area – the first was found in 2009 and sits just 650 feet away.
The Israel Antiquities Authority excavated the first one, and also found streets, street, and Jewish ritual baths.
In the center of the synagogue’s main hallway stood a unique artifact: A large stone depicting the Second Temple of Jerusalem with a seven-branched menorah carving on the one side. It was similar to that found in the second temple.
Because it was found on stone while the Temple was still standing, its significance is important.
Researchers shared their findings in a statement.
“The discovery of a stone carved with the Temple Menorah depicted in another synagogue is a sign that there are connections between Jerusalem and the subordinate communities.”
This synagogue had a central hall as well as two smaller rooms. It was made of plaster, volcanic basalt and limestone. One of the smaller rooms contained a stone bench with imagery of seven-branched menorahs.
The stone bench displayed in a museum of Israel is shown here
Magdala was a bustling fishing town that is noted in ancient Jewish documents as a site during the First Jewish–Roman War (66–73 AD).
After Antipater, the Idumaean’s cruel reign began in 163 AD, the Jewish-Roman conflict began. This was one year after the Romans had taken full control over the Syrian province of 63AD.
The revolts initially started over religious restrictions imposed on the Jews, along with the Romans building a city on top of ruins in Jerusalem – including a pagan temple where a sacred Jewish temple once stood – and the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD.
They were discovered in Magdala which is an ancient Jewish village dating back to the Second Temple period, on the western shores of Galilee.
This is also the second sacred temple uncovered in the area – the first (pictured) was found in 2009 and sits just 650 feet away
It is also mentioned in Christian Bibles as Mary Magdalen’s home.
This can be found in Matthew 15.39, the New Testament.
Magdalen, while Mary isn’t Mary’s final name, refers to Magdala as her place of origin.
According to the Bible, she was a prostitute that changed her ways after meeting Jesus.
Mary was one the most ardent followers of Jesus and was present at his Crucifixion. Mary also witnessed the resurrection.