Ancient synagogue discovered in Albanian city_102003

Posted: 10/17/03

The mosaic floor in a 5th or 6th century A.D. synagogue depicts the seven-branched candelabrum (menorah). A team of Israeli and Albanian archaeologists discovered the synagogue in the Albanian city of Saranda.

Ancient synagogue discovered in Albanian city

JERUSALEM (RNS)–A team of Israeli and Albanian archaeologists has uncovered remnants from an ancient synagogue in the Albanian city of Saranda, opposite the Greek island of Corfu, the Hebrew University announced.

Dating to the 5th or 6th century A.D., the synagogue was utilized over several periods and converted into a church during its final stage.

Although Albanian archaeologists discovered the site 20 years ago, at the time they did not realize it contained a synagogue. When further excavations hinted at the compound's Jewish roots, they called in Israeli experts from the Hebrew University Institute of Archeology.

The recent joint excavation uncovered two pieces of mosaic, one featuring a seven-branched candelabrum (menorah) flanked by a citron (etrog) and ram's horn (shofar), all symbols linked to Jewish holidays, Hebrew University said in an Oct. 8 announcement.

The other contains a number of representations, including a variety of animals, trees, symbols alluding to biblical lore and the facade of a structure resembling a temple, possibly an ark to hold the Torah. Other mosaic pieces at the site preceded the synagogue's construction.

“This is the first time we have discovered Jewish remains in this region from this period,” said Gideon Foerster, one of the Israeli archeologists who participated on the dig. “From that perspective, it is very significant. We must go on excavating.”

Foerster noted that the synagogue is just one part of a complex that is largely unexcavated. “There are a number of small buildings and a street built atop the ruins,” he said.