The Magdala Center and archaeological site

THE MAGDALA CENTER and archaeological site are the subject of a Travel piece in the Jerusalem Post:

Archaeological site inspires gospel reminiscing

By NICOLE JANSEZIAN, TRAVELUJAH
07/12/2011 17:49

The Magdala Center's new guesthouse, along with a uniquely written Catholic mass will bring to life New Testament times in the Galilee.


A new guesthouse, an archaeological site and a uniquely written Catholic mass will bring to life New Testament times in the Galilee.

The Magdala Center, Notre Dame Pontifical Institute's planned guesthouse, is on the shores of the Galilee and hosts a peek into the time of Jesus. Even though the Gospels barely mention the city, Magdala (or Migdal) played a historic role in the 1st century as revealed in the ongoing archaeological dig on the site.

[...]

The entire archaeological area uncovered is exclusively 1st century, which is rare. Most sites, even those nearby, usually show an overlap of periods. This one so far is purely Roman era. It has also revealed a community that was likely very wealthy.

“In this synagogue they had a great leader – not common, very rich,” he said.

[Father Juan Maria] Solana listed some of the impressive findings in the excavations including a synagogue, a marketplace, a villa, a perfectly preserved mosaic, rooms paved with well-cut stones and three arches, one of which is still standing. The synagogue contains mosaics, a carved stone menorah and frescoes.

Another key find is the port of Magdala, some 50 meters from the current shoreline and near the marketplace. On one side of the port is all the remnants of the lake that had lapped against the wall.

[...]

Background here and links.