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On the map the 'Golan Heights' looks like a bulge in the northeastern corner of Israel. Its known history is very long: It was part of the inheritance of the Tribe of Menashe, "Then Moses set apart three cities in the east....and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites." (Deut 4:41-43).

Many ancient ruins also of synagogues of the 2nd-3rd centuries, and of the Byzantine period testify to its flourishing Jewish population. More than twenty Jewish villages dating from the period of the Mishnah and Talmud have been identified in central Golan. The economy was based on the production and sale of olive oil, as indicated by the remains of numerous oil-presses. The economic prosperity resulting from this trade enabled the inhabitants to construct richly decorated synagogues and public buildings. Representative examples of decorated architectural fragments bearing Jewish symbols and inscriptions are on display at the Golan Archaeological Museum. These include a unique column capital from 'Eon Nashut' carved with a menorah, shofar (ram's horn) and other Jewish symbols.

The Museum features a striking display devoted to Gamla, a nearby site, where Jews fought valiantly against Vespasian in AD 67, during the First Revolt. A detailed model of the ancient town is shown, as well as selected finds from excavations conducted at the site, among them arrowheads, ballista stones, clay oil lamps, and coins*.

The remains of several Christian villages and churches of the Byzantine period have been excavated or surveyed and decorated architectural fragments from these sites are exhibited at the Museum. These include finds from Kursi, on the eastern shore of the Lake of Galilee, which is identified with Gergasa, the "Gospel" site of "Miracle of the Garadene Swine" (Luke 8:22-39).

Also on exhibit are coin hoards, of the Byzantine period, found in the synagogues of Katsrin and "Ein Nashut' and two copper amulets from 'Kanaf'. inscribed in Aramaic; A remarkable inscription mentions "The School of Rabbi Eliezer ha-Qappar" from 'Dabura'.
* A rare coin minted during the siege is on display - coined with the words "For the redemption of Jerusalem, the Holy".

The Golan Archeological Museum succeeds in presenting its collection in a way that simplifies archeology for the layman, yet intrigues the expert. The Museum's collection of archeological artifacts effectively traces the history of human settlement in the Golan from prehistoric times to the end of the Byzantine period, in the seventh century CE.

For additional information:
Golan Archaeological Museum
P.O.B 30 Katzrin 12900, Israel - Tel: 972- 04-6961350

Note: At a near-distance within the town of Katzrin is the best-preserved synagogue on the Golan Heights. The synagogue, which dates from the fifth century C.E. and which stands on an earlier one, was destroyed in a major earthquake in 746 C.E.. The site has been designated Ancient Kazrin Park; surrounding the ancient synagogue are the remains of several houses of the Talmudic era destroyed when Gamla fell to the Romans. The basalt built ruins of the houses and synagogue has been partially restored.

Learn more about this author, Norman A. Rubin.
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