Assaliyye synagogue

Assaliyye synagogue is an ancient Jewish village and synagogue located in the western part of the Golan Heights. The ancient village and synagogue are dated to the Rabbinic period, the 6th century. On the ruins of the ancient village in a later period an Arab settlement was built usig the existing debris.

Survey

The 19th century survey of the Golan Heights was very limited in its methods of reaching accurate dating of various archaeological sites. From the 1967 onwards, the area was surveyed several times in a much more accurate and thoroughly method. Surveys were conducted in 1968-9, then in the 1970's, and again in the 1980's. During the 1990's a comprehensive survey was done mainly in the southern areas of the Golan heights. In 2011 the Israel Antiquities Authority published all the surveys on its website.

Archaeology

The survey conducted in the Golan Heights revealed the remains of a Jewish village at Assaliya. Furthermore, the survey proved inhabitation evidence from the Chalcolithic period, Bronze age, Roman period, Byzantine period, the Abbasid Caliphate period and the Mamluk period. The village remains are located to the west of the city of Katzrin and east of Katzrin stream. Within the village many decorated stones were found in secondary use in the houses walls, among them, stones with a Menorah curving. The synagogue remains are located at the western part of the village on a hillside. the entrance faces south towards Jerusalem.

Findings

The survey uncovered inhabitation evidence dating from the Chalcolithic period to the Mamluk period. The archaeological findings of the Jewish village at the site include a stone lintel that had the ark of the covenant with the Temple menorah on each side engraved on it. Decorated stones were found below the synagogue and in secondary use in the more modern houses. Among them was a stone with a Menorah engraved on it and a stone with the Tree of life. An inscription in the Aramic language was also found, researchers assume it was a dedication.

In addition five oil presses were discovered, north west to the village rock-cut tombs, a mausoleum, and tombstones were are discovered. Two tombstones had Hebrew names engraved on them, the first name is:

"נחמן בר סחק"

The second name that was harder to read is of:

"למי בר שלמיה"