The Texas Foundation for Archaeological & Historical Research
| Plan of excavations at Zur Natan |
| Aerial view of the excavations; synagogue - church and sheik's tomb to the left |
TFAHR Photo Album - Zur Natan (Antesion), Israel.
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| General view of the excavations; sheik's tomb atop synagogue - church |
| Aerial view of the excavations; synagogue - church and sheik's tomb in foreground |
| Apse of synagogue - church; grooves for chancel screen |
| Clearing the apse of the synagogue - church; sheik's tomb in background |
| Clearing the pavement between the sheik's tomb and the benches of the synagogue - church |
| Rooms of the original Jewish settlement beneath the courtyard of the synagogue - church |
| Remains of a basalt grindstone |
| Uncovering the central mosaic medallion in the synagogue-church |
| Tracing the central mosaic medallion in the synagogue-church |
| The central mosaic medallion in the synagogue - church. The inscription reads: LET THEM BE REMEMBERED THE SONS OF THE VILLAGE OF ANTESION, THEOTIS AND JULOS AND... The inscription was probably laid down when the structure was a synagogue. When the synagogue was converted into a church, the mosaic was left largely intact. It is not certain whether the damage the mosaic sustained was deliberate (something eradicated as being offensive to Christianity), or just the result of wear and tear over the ages. |
| Capital (mid-5th century AD) found atop the mosaic of the synagogue - church. |
| Cleaning a mosaic of what may have been a small mosque or prayer hall of the early Islamic period (7-9th century AD) |
| Staircased entrance into the underground tunnel and cistern system |
| Crawling through the underground tunnels |
| Wall partially blocking a tunnel leading from a cistern |
| Sherds of glass vessels, and lumps of raw glass |
| Two views of the luster painted cup, found in a rubbish pit; dated to the late 8th century AD |
| Collection of mostly "Samaritan" lamps, 3rd - 8th century AD |
Three marble chancel posts, found near the entrance to a
pit. Marble is not indigenous to this region. The chancel
posts could have served to cordon off the sacred area to
both the synagogue and the church. The holes drilled for
crosses in the tops of the posts indicate that they were
definitively used when the building became a church. The
different designs and heights of the three chancel posts
present something of a problem, as to how they may have
been placed in the chancel screen.
pit. Marble is not indigenous to this region. The chancel
posts could have served to cordon off the sacred area to
both the synagogue and the church. The holes drilled for
crosses in the tops of the posts indicate that they were
definitively used when the building became a church. The
different designs and heights of the three chancel posts
present something of a problem, as to how they may have
been placed in the chancel screen.
| Samaritan tomb cut into the living rock; note rolling cover stone at left of entrance |
| Samaritan miqvah (ritual bath) near entrance to the synagogue |
| Columbarium carved into the bedrock |
| Pottery kiln |
| Reconstruction of an olive oil press found in the excavations of Zur Natan |
| Click on photo to enlarge. |
| TFAHR Site Photo Albums Bylazora 2009 Bylazora 2008 Vardarski Rid 2007 Gloska Cuka Morodvis Antipatris Tel 'Ira Zur Natan Valmagne Gevgelija Lake Prespa |