Evidence for a Second-Century ce Synagogue at Shiḥin

Abstract

The synagogue building under excavation at the site of Shiḥin in Lower Galilee was most likely built after 135 ce. The synagogue may have replaced or expanded a structure built before 70 ce. There is some evidence that the synagogue was abandoned with the rest of the village in the late second or early third century and refurbished or rebuilt in the late third or early fourth century before its final abandonment shortly thereafter. As early as the seventh century, the village and synagogue remains were severely disturbed by the beginning of agriculture on the hilltop. This article focuses on the ceramic and numismatic evidence for the construction of the second century synagogue.