Ancient carving, Beit Shearim, Lower Galilee

Mar. 27 Ancient relics discovered at excavations of Beit Shearim in Lower Galilee. Beit Shearim, situated west of Nazareth in Lower Galilee was one of Israel's central towns in the era of Talmud. After the great Jewish revolt in the year 66 BC the Jewish population remained - and after the burial of Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi, Beit Shearim was converted into a cemetery. Excavations were started there in 1936 and among the discoveries was a synagogue of the year 350 BC which was destroyed by the Romans between 1930 and 1954 work was at a standstill - but excavations were resumed in 1954 by Dr Avigad of the Archaeological Department of the Hebrew University. Now about 30 persons are engaged in digging there and many interesting items have been brought to light -including new rows of tombs and coffins - many of them inscribed with Greek and Hebrew signs. Some of them damaged by robbers throughout the ages, searching for valuables. The excavations of Beit Shearim are said to be among the most important now being carried out in Israel. photo shows Design of a horse and rider cut in soft limestone inside the catacombs of Beit Shearim

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Avigad Beit Catacombs Coffins Converted Digging Discovered Engaged Excavations Galilee Hebrew Interesting Limestone Nazareth Rabbi Relics Remained Resumed Revolt Robbers Rows Searching Shearim Situated Soft Standstill Synagogue Talmud Throughout Tombs Valuables Yehuda

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