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▲ The origin of the name may be from the tanner's plant, which is called sumac in Arabic. Visiting the site is limited, because it is on the edge of the IDF's fire zone.
The synagogue was located as a basilica-shaped structure, which includes an entrance hall in the east, three openings and a gathering hall. Notched columns and other architectural remains were found at the site.
According to the reconstruction, the initial building was destroyed during the 4th century during an unknown event (possibly the Samaritan revolt that happened at that time). After that, the synagogue was rebuilt, until it was abandoned during the 7th century.▼
▲ The ancient site covered an area of 25 dunams. It was already discovered in the 19th century by researchers, including Lawrence Oliphant who lived in nearby Dalit al-Karmel. A limited excavation was conducted at the site by Heinrich Kohl and Carl Wetzinger, as part of their comprehensive study of synagogues in the Galilee (1905, 1907). However, some of the findings described in the initial surveys were not discovered later, since the site was used as a source for building materials for the nearby Arab settlement Umm al-Zinat (today in the Alykim area)
▲ The ancient site covered an area of 25 dunams. It was already discovered in the 19th century by researchers, including Lawrence Oliphant who lived in nearby Dalit al-Karmel. A limited excavation was conducted at the site by Heinrich Kohl and Carl Wetzinger, as part of their comprehensive study of synagogues in the Galilee (1905, 1907). However, some of the findings described in the initial surveys were not discovered later, since the site was used as a source for building materials for the nearby Arab settlement Umm al-Zinat (today in the Alykim area)
▲The synagogue was located as a basilica-shaped structure, which includes an entrance hall in the east, three openings and a gathering hall. Notched columns and other architectural remains were found at the site. However, no findings unique to a synagogue, such as a prayer platform, were found at the site. Size of the synagogue building: 19 meters by 15 meters. In the excavations conducted at the site in 1905, a synagogue doorframe was found, on which there is a relief depicting two lions facing each other. The lintel rolls, its main part upside down among the large heavy stones around it[2].
▲According to the reconstruction, the initial building was destroyed during the 4th century during an unknown event (possibly the Samaritan revolt that happened at that time). After that, the synagogue was rebuilt, until it was abandoned during the 7th century.
A large number (several dozen) of long and notched stone pillars are found on the site. Columns of this type were not found anywhere else, except in the Umm Daraj ruin (about 2 km to the south), where several such columns were also found. )[2], but today the use made of the columns is unknown, and this is considered a mystery. Several columns of this type were used to restore the synagogue after its first destruction.
Burial caves
On the site, branched burial caves, carved into the rock, were found. The most impressive of them is called the "Cave of the Lamps" after the
▲On the site, branched burial caves, carved into the rock, were found. The most impressive of them is called the "Cave of the Lamps" after the seven reed lamps found engraved on both sides of the entrance arch. Another cave found on the site, known as the "Cave of the Bull and the Lion" due to the relief of animals, probably a bull and a lion, in the cave's lintel.
Agriculture▼
To the north of the synagogue, a large canvas house was uncovered, which includes vertical rock pillars that were used to fix the beam of the canvas house. Between the columns is a wringing surface. Instead of two huge dumbbells - each with an approximate weight of a ton. Oil storage basins and a plastered pool were also found.▼
There are no springs in the area near the site, and the supply of drinking water and irrigation was based on cisterns. To the east of the cloth house, remains of spacious residential buildings were found, each with a cistern. In addition, a central water reservoir, which is still used by shepherds, is in the center of the site. In the opening of the pit, there are notched marks of a rope, indicating its use in the past.▼
Near the site, 200 meters northwest of the center of the site, is scattered a system of goths that is one of the largest uncovered in Israel. The system includes rock surfaces on which the grapes were trodden, hewn basins for sedimentation and filter openings through which the juice passed into a large storage pool, with a volume of 10 m3. Near the vats is a pit, which was used as a winery.▼
Industrial buildings▼
▲Agriculture
▲To the north of the synagogue, a large
▲There are no springs in the area near the site, and the supply of drinking water and irrigation was based on cisterns. To the east of the
North-east of the synagogue is a building of a large workshop, with an area of 250 square meters, the floor is plastered and there are square ponds in it. Small water basins, like troughs, and round pillars with grooves running through them are also visible. Its juices are used for processing leather.It is possible that this workshop, and others like it scattered in the area, were also engaged in the production of dyes such as yellow dye from local flowers.▼
▲Near the site, 200 meters northwest of
▲Industrial buildings
▲North-east of the synagogue is a building of a large workshop, with an area of 250 square meters, the floor is plastered and there are square ponds in it. Small water basins, like troughs, and round pillars with grooves running through them are also visible. Its juices are used for processing leather.It is possible that this workshop, and others like it scattered in the area, were also engaged in the production of dyes such as yellow dye from local flowers.
Salamandra▼
▲Salamandra
During the rainy days, the pits are filled with water and animals can be found in them. One of them is one of the well-known tailed amphibians in Israel: in Carmel and the Galilee. In addition, there is the orange salamander: black, lizard-like, with yellow dots on it. During the summer it is hidden because it needs moisture. In the winter, the salamander goes to the water pools where it spawns and returns to land again. The phenomenon according to which she disappears and returns with children, led to the fact that the Druze from the surrounding area mistake her for the natives of thunder and lightning. They call the
[[Category:Mount Carmel]]
[[Category:Ancient synagogues in the Land of Israel]]
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