SUMMARY: Ancient Biblical Mosaics unveiled from the Huqoq Synagogue in northern Israel depict incredible images of biblical texts and could help shape a historical timeline that closely align with the biblical narrative.
he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law.
– Deuteronomy 32:46 (ESV)
Ancient Mosaics Unveiled
Recently, ancient biblical mosaics were unveiled in greater detail for the first time. Archaeologists shared images of the larger works and close detail of the skillfully crafted scenes depicting many different biblical texts, found in the Huqoq Synagogue in Northern Israel.
Small portions of this discovery had been previously seen, but many more and more complete images of the incredible mosaic pictures have now been revealed to the public. The first mosaic was found in 2012 and the project continues each year with more incredible discoveries
Biblical History or Fables?
Last summer we shared an update on this excavation project. At the time, only small close-ups of a few scenes had been published. The biblical images in these scenes display some of the oldest biblical art ever found. For an in depth study of the project and connections drawn our July 20th, 2018 Thinker post has great insight.
The full mosaics are now being shown for the first time and include scenes of the Tower of Babel, Noah’s Ark and the parting of the Red Sea. After restoration work, this is the first time that the scene of Jonah and the fish has been displayed. These panels have been discovered over the past several years.
Excavation at Huqoq Changes Timeline
Professor Jodi Magness, who is a well known expert on the Dead Sea scrolls, is the Excavation Director at the Huqoq Excavation Project. She also has been interviewed by Tim Mahoney for our upcoming film series, Patterns of Evidence: Moses.
It is important to note that Magness’ view of these mosaics and items found in regards to dating is different than where mainstream archaeologists place the dates of the synagogue.
She believes that the 5th century Jewish settlement flourished and was peaceable with the Christians. The conventional view would place it in the 2nd-3rd century, in part because of the thinking that Christians would not have allowed the synagogue.
Tower of Babel and Daily Life
Also fascinating is what we are able to glean about daily living from the mosaics. In a story published by Fox News on November 16, 2018, Magness shared:
“The panel depicting the Tower of Babel shows different construction activities around the tower, such as the quarrying of stone, woodworking and the use of a giant pulley. The mosaic provides important evidence for the ancient building techniques.”
She continues, “The workman have different hairstyles, clothing, and skin colors, to represent the various peoples who participated in the tower’s construction.” She goes on to explain, “ A fight is shown breaking out between two of them after God confused their languages.”
Evidence uncovered and revealed continues to correct our understanding of the history of these events (including dating), and deepen our knowledge of the people that lived before us. Magness and her team know that they have deeper to dig and we can’t wait to see what is shared next. Keep Thinking!
TOP PHOTO: Ancient Biblical Mosaic Unveiled of the Tower of Babel.
All Included Images: Credit: copyright Jim Haberman, courtesy UNC-Chapel Hill
