Following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the parts of the Land of Israel north of Jerusalem, and especially the Galilee, became major centers of Jewish life. Thus many archaeological finds from the talmudic era come from these areas. One exception is the synagogue found in Ein Gedi, an oasis and nature preserve located to the west of the Dead Sea. Nosson Shulman describes what has been found there:
The synagogue from Roman/Byzantine times was only discovered in 1965, when workers of nearby Kibbutz Ein Gedi were plowing the field and found a well-preserved mosaic floor. Excavations were started and they soon realized they had found the community synagogue from the 3rd to 6th centuries CE.
The designs of the synagogue testify to the wealth of the community. Several colorful mosaics were found portraying exotic birds such as peacocks and partridges, as well as grapes and the menorah. As Jewish law dictates, the synagogue faces northwards towards Jerusalem, where the aron kodesh (prayer niche which holds the Torah Scroll) was carved into the wall.
The findings which interested archaeologists the most, however, were the several inscriptions found by the entrance. As in synagogues today, it is common to find plaques commemorating the donors. Ein Gedi of 1500 years ago was no different, and the three sons of “Halfi” are praised for building the fashionable staircase “on behalf of the Merciful One.”
The community continued to grow until around 530 when the community mysteriously was abandoned. Remains of fire burn marks suggest that the community was attacked and destroyed by unknown invaders.
Read more on Jewish Press: https://www.jewishpress.com/blogs/unique-sites-israel/unique-sites-of-israel-a-mosaic-treasure-at-ein-gedi/2022/02/27/