Tuesday, March 23, 2004

SANHEDRIN BASILICA IN TIBERIAS?
Researchers say Tiberias basilica may have housed Sanhedrin (Ha'aretz, via Archaeologica News)
By Eli Ashkenazi

Antiquities Authority excavations in Tiberias may have uncovered the site of a structure used by the Sanhedrin, researchers believe. The excavations began in March in the central part of the city and in recent days have moved eastward toward route 90. The main finding in the new excavation area is a basilica structure.

Excavation director Prof. Yizhar Hirschfeld from Hebrew University of Jerusalem says the basilica, which was built during the third century C.E., could have been used by the Sanhedrin, which at the time was called Beit Hava'ad. Identical structures, such as one at Beit Sha'arim, were also used for judicial purposes. In Tiberias the site could have also be used for writing the Jerusalem Talmud, researchers believe.

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The excavators have also found a mosaic at the entrance to the bath house.

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