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| '''Shikhin''' ({{Lang-he-n|שִׁיחִין}}), variant spelling ({{Lang-he-n|שׁוּחִין}}), also known as '''Asochis''', was a central ] village about {{convert|5|mi|km}} northwest of ] that was abandoned in the fourth century |
'''Shikhin''' ({{Lang-he-n|שִׁיחִין}}), variant spelling ({{Lang-he-n|שׁוּחִין}}), also known as '''Asochis''', was a central ] village about {{convert|5|mi|km}} northwest of ] that was abandoned in the fourth century CE. {{As of|2012|05}}, the site is under excavation. So far, evidence of extensive pottery work and a ] have been uncovered. | ||
| ==Location== | ==Location== | ||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| First-century historian ] refers to Shikhin as Asochis (Greek: Ἀσωχίς). He described the village as one of the first Jewish settlements formed in Galilee. |
First-century historian ] refers to Shikhin as Asochis (Greek: Ἀσωχίς). He described the village as one of the first Jewish settlements formed in Galilee. He dated it to the ] (140-63 BC).<ref name=AL /> The ] describes the village as being home to many potters.<ref name=JPost /> The village was abandoned in the fourth century AD when the buildings were dismantled and the stones reused elsewhere.<ref name=AL>{{cite news|title=Samford archaeological dig in Israel uncovers Jewish village|author=Greg Garrison|date=August 5, 2013|url=http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2013/08/samford_archaeological_dig_in.html|accessdate=August 8, 2013|publisher=Alabama Media Group}}</ref> The Plain of Asochis lay nearby, identified today as ] (''Sahel el-Buttauf''), an area south of ], but due north of ].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Strange |first=James |title=Excavations at Sepphoris: The Location and Identification of Shikhin|journal=Israel Exploration Journal |volume=44 |issue=3/4 |pages=216–227 |jstor=27926349 |date=1994}}</ref> | ||
| The ], when making note of the former wealth of the city, writes: | The ], when making note of the former wealth of the city, writes: | ||
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| ==Archaeological excavation== | ==Archaeological excavation== | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| An archeological survey of Shikhin began in 2011.<ref name=AL /> |
An archeological survey of Shikhin began in 2011.<ref name=AL /> In 2012, excavation got underway led by James Riley Strange of ], Mordechai Aviam of ] and David Fiensy of ].<ref name=JPost>{{cite news|title=Shikhin, Talmudic village home to many potters, found near Tzipori|author=Sammy Hudes|work=Jerusalem Post|date=August 5, 2013|url=http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Shikhin-Talmudic-village-home-to-many-potters-found-near-Tzipori-322063|accessdate=August 5, 2013}}</ref> In August 2013, the team announced that it had uncovered evidence of an ancient synagogue and houses. They also found evidence of pottery production in the area.<ref name=AP>{{cite news|title=Samford professor finds ancient Jewish village|agency=AP|work=San Francisco Gate|url=http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Samford-professor-finds-ancient-Jewish-village-4705846.php|date=August 4, 2013|accessdate=August 4, 2013}}</ref> | ||
| Sarcophagi, both plain and decorated with stone relief, designed to remain above ground, have been uncovered on neighboring Jabel Qat, which may be the cemetery of Shikhin. Many caves and wine press cisterns are also found on Jabel Qat. Plans for future excavation will focus on "studying the cultural heritage of the village."<ref name=JPost /> | Sarcophagi, both plain and decorated with stone relief, designed to remain above ground, have been uncovered on neighboring Jabel Qat, which may be the cemetery of Shikhin. Many caves and wine press cisterns are also found on Jabel Qat. Plans for future excavation will focus on "studying the cultural heritage of the village."<ref name=JPost /> | ||
| ==Archaeological impact== | ==Archaeological impact== | ||
| Strange said he believes the site will further lend understanding of Galilean Jewish village life and the economy during the period of time when the ] was written and Christianity was establishing itself.<ref name=AP /> |
Strange said he believes the site will further lend understanding of Galilean Jewish village life and the economy during the period of time when the ] was written and Christianity was establishing itself.<ref name=AP /> Seven molds used to make oil lamps, the most ever found in a village in Israel, were recovered from the site. According to Aviam, this is strong evidence that "the production of oil lamps was very important" to Shikhin.<ref name=JPost /> | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 06:56, 21 December 2019
Shikhin (Template:Lang-he-n), variant spelling (Template:Lang-he-n), also known as Asochis, was a central Galilean village about 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of Nazareth that was abandoned in the fourth century CE. As of May 2012, the site is under excavation. So far, evidence of extensive pottery work and a synagogue have been uncovered.
Location
Shikhin is located in central Galilee near Sepphoris (modern day Tzipori). It is about 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of Nazareth. Shikhin is located within Zippori National Park.
History
First-century historian Josephus refers to Shikhin as Asochis (Greek: Ἀσωχίς). He described the village as one of the first Jewish settlements formed in Galilee. He dated it to the Hasmonaean Dynasty (140-63 BC). The Talmud describes the village as being home to many potters. The village was abandoned in the fourth century AD when the buildings were dismantled and the stones reused elsewhere. The Plain of Asochis lay nearby, identified today as Beit Netofa Valley (Sahel el-Buttauf), an area south of Kfar Manda, but due north of Sepphoris.
The Jerusalem Talmud, when making note of the former wealth of the city, writes:
There were three cities whose tax ledgers were carried by wagon unto Jerusalem: Cabul, Asochis, and Migdal of the dyers, and all three of them were destroyed. Cabul because of a schism, Asochis because of sorcery, and Migdal of the dyers because of lechery.
Archaeological excavation
An archeological survey of Shikhin began in 2011. In 2012, excavation got underway led by James Riley Strange of Samford University, Mordechai Aviam of Kinneret College and David Fiensy of Kentucky Christian University. In August 2013, the team announced that it had uncovered evidence of an ancient synagogue and houses. They also found evidence of pottery production in the area.
Sarcophagi, both plain and decorated with stone relief, designed to remain above ground, have been uncovered on neighboring Jabel Qat, which may be the cemetery of Shikhin. Many caves and wine press cisterns are also found on Jabel Qat. Plans for future excavation will focus on "studying the cultural heritage of the village."
Archaeological impact
Strange said he believes the site will further lend understanding of Galilean Jewish village life and the economy during the period of time when the Talmud was written and Christianity was establishing itself. Seven molds used to make oil lamps, the most ever found in a village in Israel, were recovered from the site. According to Aviam, this is strong evidence that "the production of oil lamps was very important" to Shikhin.
References
- ^ Sammy Hudes (August 5, 2013). "Shikhin, Talmudic village home to many potters, found near Tzipori". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
- ^ "Samford professor finds ancient Jewish village". San Francisco Gate. AP. August 4, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ^ Greg Garrison (August 5, 2013). "Samford archaeological dig in Israel uncovers Jewish village". Alabama Media Group. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- Strange, James (1994). "Excavations at Sepphoris: The Location and Identification of Shikhin". Israel Exploration Journal. 44 (3/4): 216–227. JSTOR 27926349.
- Hebrew: מגדל צבעייא = Migdal Ṣeboʻaya.
- editors, editors. The Jerusalem Talmud (Ta'anit 4:5 ).
{{cite book}}:|last=has generic name (help)
External links
32°46′08″N 35°16′24″E / 32.7689°N 35.2733°E / 32.7689; 35.2733
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