|
|
|
|
| Tiberias, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, constitutes one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel relevant
to the cultural and religious heritage of the three monotheistic faiths. |
|
| Several excavations have been conducted in Tiberias during the past fifty years, uncovering finds from the Calcholithic through the Ottoman periods.
A new project - directed by Dr. Cytryn-Silverman
of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, began in March 2009 at Tiberias ancient city-centre. It deals with a
hypostyle structure, partially excavated in the 1950’s by B. Ravani and later by Y. Hirschfeld.
The building, which was originally dubbed as a covered market, has recently been restudied by Cytryn-Silverman,
who has shown that the structure was not a market - but rather the congregational mosque dating from the Early
Islamic period.
The main aim of the present project is twofold: to define the phases and architectural development of the hypostyle building
by exploring its unexcavated eastern portion, also to establish its urban context.
For that, trenches were open to the west of the building's alleged courtyard, facing the city's main artery (the cardo),
as well as to its north, not far from where a Byzantine church was recently uncovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Special finds to date include: a mosaic floor, Arabic inscriptions, complete oil
lamps and hundreds of coins, all of great importance in dating the site's phases. |
|
|
For more information, pictures from previous seasons and much more,
visit our Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tiberias-Excavation/347743705594
|
|
|
|