A 1st Century Synagogue in Magdala

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A Catholic priest and archaeologists in Israel are excavating an ancient synagogue and a site that may have been the home of Mary Magdalene, who has been called Jesus’ most beloved disciple. Archaeologists say Jesus could have preached in the temple as he is said in the Gospels to have preached at synagogues in the Galilee and no other synagogue from his lifetime has been found.

Six years ago Juan Solana, a Catholic priest, bought some property in the ancient town of Magdala and was required to do exploratory excavations under Israeli law. By chance he found the ruins of a 1st century AD synagogue.

“Historians believe Jesus may have once walked the cobbled streets,” says a CNN story that was published on WDAM.com “This may have been home to one of the most important figures of the Bible, Mary Magdalene. The first recorded witness of the resurrection. ‘This is a holy site. I am sure of that,’ said Father Juan Solana.”…

Solana bought the land in Magdala to build a Christian retreat. The synagogue dates to the first century AD. The New Testament says Jesus preached in synagogues in the Galilee, and this is the only one that dates to Jesus’ lifetime that has been excavated in the area.

The synagogue is ornate with frescoes and mosaic floors. It has an altar, called a bimah in Hebrew, in the center. People call this the Magdala stone. It has on it a rare menorah carved into the stone.

Archaeologists say that the synagogue in Magdala is one of the more important discoveries in Israel in 50 years. There they have also found a bowl dating back about 2,000 years that Jesus may have washed his hands in before preaching or praying in the synagogue.

Marcela Zapata, an archaeologist, describes the purification baths, which still work: “It’s the most pure water in all of Israel. Today if I ask for some of the volunteers to take out all of the water and to clean the floor and steps in half hour the water starts to come again. Wow.”

The team of archaeologists and assistants has found coins and shards of pottery, which they are restoring. Zapata says everything they find tells something about everyday life or cooking and about the materials the people used.