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{{Short description|Archaeological site on the Golan Heights}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2011}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox ancient site {{Infobox ancient site
| name = Kursi | name = Kursi
| native_name = | native_name =
| alternate_name = | alternate_name =
| image = Kursi Church aerial.jpg | image = File:Kursi0036.JPG
| alt = | alt =
| caption = Aerial view of the site | caption =
| map_type = Golan Heights | map_type = Golan
| map_alt = | map_alt =
| map_size = 250 | map_size = 250
Line 38: Line 39:
| notes = | notes =
}} }}
⚫ '''Kursi''' ({{langx|grc-x-medieval|Κυρσοί}}, {{Langx|he|כורסי}}, {{langx|ar|الكرسي}}) is an ] in the ] containing the ruins of a ] monastery and identified by tradition as the site of ]' "]".<ref name=M /> Part of the archaeological site is now an Israeli national park. Kursi takes its name from the ]ic site.<ref name="UH">{{cite press release |url=http://www.haifa.ac.il/index.php/ar/68-english/tehuda-eng/1524-our-researchers-uncover-a-unique-hebrew-inscription-showing-existence-of-a-jewish-village-at-kursi |title=Our Researchers Uncover a Unique Hebrew Inscription Showing Existence of a Jewish Village at Kursi |publisher=] |date=December 2015 }}</ref> A marble slab with Aramaic text discovered in December 2015 seems to indicate that the settlement had, as of {{circa|500 CE}}, a Jewish or ] population.

⚫ '''Kursi''' (] Κυρσοί) is an archaeological site containing the ruins of a ] monastery and identified by tradition as the site of ]' "]". The site is now an Israeli national park located in the Israel-occupied side of the ]. Kursi takes its name from the ]ic site.<ref name="UH">, ], December 2015.</ref> A marble slab with Aramaic text discovered in December 2015 seems to indicate that the settlement had, as of ca. 500 CE, a Jewish or ] population.


==Location== ==Location==
Line 46: Line 46:
==Christian significance== ==Christian significance==
] ]
Kursi has been identified by tradition as the site of the "Miracle of the Swine", where Jesus healed one or two men possessed by demons by driving these into a herd of pigs (], ], ]). The details differ somewhat in the three gospels dealing with the episode, and again some more in various ancient manuscripts of those same gospels. The events take place in the land of either the ] (Mark 5:1, Matthew 8:28, Luke 8:26). Exorcised was either one man as per Mark and Luke, or two as per Matthew. Kursi has been identified by tradition as the site of the "Miracle of the Swine", where Jesus healed one or two men possessed by demons by driving these into a herd of pigs (]:1–20, ]:28–34, ]:26–39). The details differ somewhat in the three ] dealing with the episode, and again some more in various ancient manuscripts of those same gospels. The events take place in the land of either the ] (Mark 5:1, Matthew 8:28, Luke 8:26). Exorcised was either one man as per Mark and Luke, or two as per Matthew.


==Ancient monastery==
==History==
⚫ The monastery and its church were built in the 5th century, remaining in use throughout the ] (in Israeli-Judaic terms: the ] and ] periods). This being a major pilgrimage site, a number of buildings were built for the accommodation of pilgrims as well as the local monastic community, all surrounded by walls and other fortifications. In 614 the ] (Persian) armies invaded ] laying waste to most of its churches and monasteries, including the one at Kursi. The church was later rebuilt, but part of the destroyed settlement was left in its ruined state. The church continued functioning under Muslim rule after the ] in 638-641 until being totally devastated by the ]. Arab squatters used the ruins as dwellings and for storage in the 9th century, marking the end of Kursi's use as a Christian pilgrimage site.


==Description== ===History===
⚫ The monastery and its church were built in the 5th century,<ref name=UE></ref> remaining in use throughout the ]. This being a major pilgrimage site, a number of buildings were built for the accommodation of pilgrims as well as the local monastic community, all surrounded by walls and other fortifications. In 614 the ] (Persian) armies invaded ] laying waste most of its churches and monasteries, including the one at Kursi.<ref name=UE /> The church was later rebuilt, but part of the destroyed settlement was left in its ruined state. The church continued functioning under Muslim rule after the ] in 638–641 until being totally devastated by the ]. Arab squatters used the ruins as dwellings and for storage in the 9th century,<ref name=I></ref> marking the end of Kursi's use as a Christian pilgrimage site.

===Description===
] ]
The monastery is surrounded by a rectangular stone wall measuring 145 x 123 metres. The entrance facing the Sea of Galilee was guarded by a watchtower, and a paved road led down to a harbor, where pilgrim boats could berth. Once inside the wall, the pilgrims had the choice of going first to a luxurious bathhouse (excavated area to the left/north of the entrance), or going straight to the centrally placed church. 24 x 45 sq. metres in area, the church was entered through a forecourt opening onto an ] or inner courtyard, followed by the church proper which was flanked on both sides by chapels and auxiliary rooms. The church is of the basilical type, with two rows of columns separating it into a nave and two aisles. The mosaic floor of the nave consists of geometrical designs, while the lateral aisles once contained medallions with depictions of the local flora and fauna; most of these have been destroyed, probably after the Muslim invasion, but some are still visible, such as ], ]s, ]s and fish, ]s, ], ]s, and grapes. The baptistery chapel on the southern side of the central apse has a small baptismal font, and the mosaic floor includes an inscription indicating that it was laid in the year 585. A staircase (not accessible to visitors) leads from the southern end of the ] to a ] used for burials, where archaeologists have found several intact skeletons. Among the rooms on the northern side is one containing an olive press. The atrium is largely built over a large cistern, as one can see from the two well heads; a ladder leading down to the cistern is not accessible to visitors. The monastery is surrounded by a rectangular stone wall measuring 145 x 123 meters.<ref name=M></ref> The entrance facing the Sea of Galilee was guarded by a watchtower, and a paved road led down to a harbor,<ref></ref> where pilgrim boats could berth. Once inside the wall, the pilgrims had the choice of going first to a luxurious bathhouse (excavated area to the left/north of the entrance), or going straight to the centrally placed church. The church is 24 x 45 sq. metres in area,<ref name=M /> and was entered through a forecourt opening onto an ] or inner courtyard, followed by the church proper which was flanked on both sides by chapels and auxiliary rooms. The church is of the basilical type, with two rows of columns separating it into a nave and two aisles.
The mosaic floor of the nave consists of geometrical designs, while the lateral aisles once contained medallions with depictions of the local flora and fauna; most of these have been destroyed, but some are still visible, such as ], ]s, ]s and fish,<ref name=M /> ]s, ], ]s, and grapes. The baptistery chapel on the southern side of the central apse has a small baptismal font, and the mosaic floor includes an inscription indicating that it was laid in the year 585. A staircase (not accessible to visitors) leads from the southern end of the ] to a ] used for burials, where archaeologists have found several intact skeletons. Among the rooms on the northern side is one containing an olive press. The atrium is largely built over a large cistern, as one can see from the two well heads; a ladder leading down to the cistern is not accessible to visitors.

A small Byzantine chapel stood outside the main compound, on the hill to the south. Here a large boulder was probably considered to be the exact site of the miracle. Remains were discovered of what might have been a tower built around the boulder and of a chapel squeezed in between the hillside and the boulder. Three distinct layers of mosaic floor and an apse were excavated here. A small Byzantine chapel stood outside the main compound, on the hill to the south. Here a large boulder was probably considered to be the exact site of the miracle.<ref name=I /> Remains were discovered of what might have been a tower built around the boulder and of a chapel squeezed in between the hillside and the boulder. Three distinct layers of mosaic floor and an apse were excavated here.


==Archaeology== ==Archaeology==
===Monastic complex=== ===Monastic complex===
The ruins of the monastery were first unearthed by road construction crews in 1970, and the major excavation took place between 1971 and 1974 headed by Israeli archaeologist Dan Urman<ref>{{cite web|title=Dan Urman, 1945–2004|url=http://members.bib-arch.org/publication.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=30&Issue=4&ArticleID=19|publisher=]}}</ref> and his Greek colleague ] for the ]. Together they excavated the largest Byzantine monastic complex found in Israel. Further excavations have since been taking place, the marble-lined bath-house being one of the more recent discoveries. The ruins of the monastery were first unearthed by road construction crews in 1970, and the major excavation took place between 1971 and 1974 headed by Israeli archaeologist Dan Urman<ref>{{cite web|title=Dan Urman, 1945–2004| date=24 August 2015 |url=http://members.bib-arch.org/publication.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=30&Issue=4&ArticleID=19|publisher=]}}</ref> and his Greek colleague ]<ref name=M /> for the ]. Together they excavated the largest Byzantine monastic complex found in Israel. Further excavations have since been taking place, the marble-lined bath-house being one of the more recent discoveries.

The church has been reconstructed to a degree which allows the visitor to understand its three-dimensional shape and size. The church has been reconstructed to a degree which allows the visitor to understand its three-dimensional shape and size.

Christian artifacts from Kursi can be viewed at the ]. Christian artifacts from Kursi can be viewed at the ].


===Synagogue=== ===Possible synagogue===
A building that may have been a synagogue has also been unearthed in 2015.<ref name=Cohen/> Large parts of a marble slab shattered into pieces<ref name=Cohen/> and inscribed in Aramaic was found inside this building, and two words were deciphered shortly after the discovery: "amen" and "marmaria"; the latter, literally 'marble', has been interpreted by some scholars as perhaps linked with the cult of the Virgin Mary, possibly meaning 'Maria's rabbi', since 'mar' means rabbi.<ref name="UH" /><ref name=Blumenthal>{{cite news|last1= Blumenthal |first1= Ian |title= Discovery suggests Jews lived in Galilee 1,500 years ago |url= http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4740314,00.html |accessdate= 16 December 2015 |publisher =Y-net |date= 16 December 2015}}</ref> A building that may have been a synagogue has also been unearthed in 2015.<ref name=Cohen/> Large parts of a marble slab shattered into pieces<ref name=Cohen/> and inscribed in Aramaic was found inside this building, and two words were deciphered shortly after the discovery: "amen" and "marmaria"; the latter, literally 'marble', has been interpreted by some scholars as perhaps linked with the cult of the Virgin Mary, possibly meaning 'Maria's rabbi', since 'mar' means rabbi.<ref name="UH" /><ref name=Blumenthal>{{cite news|last1= Blumenthal |first1= Ian |title= Discovery suggests Jews lived in Galilee 1,500 years ago |url= http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4740314,00.html |access-date= 16 December 2015 |publisher =Y-net |date= 16 December 2015}}</ref>


The scholars who excavated the fragments assume that the marble tablet initially measured some 120 by 60 centimetres.<ref name=Cohen/> They describe the inscription as being im Hebrew, at least 1,600 years old, and consisting of eight lines commemorating a man (or several) from ] who has (or have) made a donation for the building that included marble.<ref name=Cohen/> The tablet was set into the floor and was surrounded by a simple ].<ref name=Cohen/> It is the only such marble tablet ever found (as of 2015) in an ancient synagogue in Israel.<ref name=Cohen/> The inscription is the first to indicate that the settlement at Kursi was Jewish or Judaeo-Christian.<ref name=Cohen>{{cite news |last1= Misgav |first1= Haggai |last2= Artzy |first2= Michal |last3= Cohen |first3= Haim |title= The Synagogue Inscription from Kursi |url= http://www.kursibeachexcavation.com/the-inscription-of-kursi-beach/ |publisher= Kursi Beach Excavation |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> The scholars who excavated the fragments assume that the marble tablet initially measured some 120 by 60 centimetres.<ref name=Cohen/> They describe the inscription as being in Hebrew, at least 1,600 years old, and consisting of eight lines commemorating a man (or several) from ] who has (or have) made a donation for the building that included marble.<ref name=Cohen/> The tablet was set into the floor and was surrounded by a simple ].<ref name=Cohen/> It is the only such marble tablet ever found (as of 2015) in an ancient synagogue in Israel or the Golan Heights.<ref name=Cohen/> The inscription is the first to indicate that the settlement at Kursi was Jewish or Judaeo-Christian.<ref name=Cohen>{{cite journal |last1= Misgav |first1= Haggai |last2= Artzy |first2= Michal |last3= Cohen |first3= Haim |title= The Synagogue Inscription from Kursi |url= http://www.jjmjs.org/uploads/1/1/9/0/11908749/jjmjs-3_misgav.pdf |publisher= Journal of The Jesus Movement in Its Jewish Setting from the First to the Seventh Century |access-date=19 June 2023}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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==External links== ==External links==
* *, National Parks Authority (new website)
⚫ *, National Parks Authority (old website)
* *, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
⚫ *
*: the ancient village, port, synagogue and inscription. ''The Times of Israel'', 21 December 2015 (accessed June 2020).
*
*Geobiology in Israel / Richard Benishai site


{{National parks of Israel}} {{National parks in the Israeli-occupied territories}}


{{authority control}} {{authority control}}
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Latest revision as of 10:59, 3 January 2025

Archaeological site on the Golan Heights

Kursi
Kursi, Sea of Galilee is located in the Golan HeightsKursi, Sea of GalileeShown within the Golan Heights
RegionGolan Heights
Coordinates32°49′33.91″N 35°39′1.36″E / 32.8260861°N 35.6503778°E / 32.8260861; 35.6503778
TypeSettlement

Kursi (Medieval Greek: Κυρσοί, Hebrew: כורסי, Arabic: الكرسي) is an archaeological site in the Golan Heights containing the ruins of a Byzantine monastery and identified by tradition as the site of Jesus' "Miracle of the Swine". Part of the archaeological site is now an Israeli national park. Kursi takes its name from the Talmudic site. A marble slab with Aramaic text discovered in December 2015 seems to indicate that the settlement had, as of c. 500 CE, a Jewish or Judeo-Christian population.

Location

The site is located near the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee on the bank of a wadi, Nahal Samakh, descending from the Golan Heights.

Christian significance

The church seen from the paved street leading up to it.

Kursi has been identified by tradition as the site of the "Miracle of the Swine", where Jesus healed one or two men possessed by demons by driving these into a herd of pigs (Mark 5:1–20, Matthew 8:28–34, Luke 8:26–39). The details differ somewhat in the three Synoptic Gospels dealing with the episode, and again some more in various ancient manuscripts of those same gospels. The events take place in the land of either the Gerasenes, Gadarenes or Gergesenes (Mark 5:1, Matthew 8:28, Luke 8:26). Exorcised was either one man as per Mark and Luke, or two as per Matthew.

Ancient monastery

History

The monastery and its church were built in the 5th century, remaining in use throughout the Byzantine period. This being a major pilgrimage site, a number of buildings were built for the accommodation of pilgrims as well as the local monastic community, all surrounded by walls and other fortifications. In 614 the Sassanian (Persian) armies invaded Palestine laying waste most of its churches and monasteries, including the one at Kursi. The church was later rebuilt, but part of the destroyed settlement was left in its ruined state. The church continued functioning under Muslim rule after the conquest of Palestine in 638–641 until being totally devastated by the 749 earthquake. Arab squatters used the ruins as dwellings and for storage in the 9th century, marking the end of Kursi's use as a Christian pilgrimage site.

Description

At the church entrance looking toward the northern aisle with its re-erected columns.

The monastery is surrounded by a rectangular stone wall measuring 145 x 123 meters. The entrance facing the Sea of Galilee was guarded by a watchtower, and a paved road led down to a harbor, where pilgrim boats could berth. Once inside the wall, the pilgrims had the choice of going first to a luxurious bathhouse (excavated area to the left/north of the entrance), or going straight to the centrally placed church. The church is 24 x 45 sq. metres in area, and was entered through a forecourt opening onto an atrium or inner courtyard, followed by the church proper which was flanked on both sides by chapels and auxiliary rooms. The church is of the basilical type, with two rows of columns separating it into a nave and two aisles.

The mosaic floor of the nave consists of geometrical designs, while the lateral aisles once contained medallions with depictions of the local flora and fauna; most of these have been destroyed, but some are still visible, such as geese, doves, cormorants and fish, citrons, dates, pomegranates, and grapes. The baptistery chapel on the southern side of the central apse has a small baptismal font, and the mosaic floor includes an inscription indicating that it was laid in the year 585. A staircase (not accessible to visitors) leads from the southern end of the narthex to a crypt used for burials, where archaeologists have found several intact skeletons. Among the rooms on the northern side is one containing an olive press. The atrium is largely built over a large cistern, as one can see from the two well heads; a ladder leading down to the cistern is not accessible to visitors.

A small Byzantine chapel stood outside the main compound, on the hill to the south. Here a large boulder was probably considered to be the exact site of the miracle. Remains were discovered of what might have been a tower built around the boulder and of a chapel squeezed in between the hillside and the boulder. Three distinct layers of mosaic floor and an apse were excavated here.

Archaeology

Monastic complex

The ruins of the monastery were first unearthed by road construction crews in 1970, and the major excavation took place between 1971 and 1974 headed by Israeli archaeologist Dan Urman and his Greek colleague Vassilios Tzaferis for the Israel Antiquities Authority. Together they excavated the largest Byzantine monastic complex found in Israel. Further excavations have since been taking place, the marble-lined bath-house being one of the more recent discoveries.

The church has been reconstructed to a degree which allows the visitor to understand its three-dimensional shape and size.

Christian artifacts from Kursi can be viewed at the Golan Archaeological Museum.

Possible synagogue

A building that may have been a synagogue has also been unearthed in 2015. Large parts of a marble slab shattered into pieces and inscribed in Aramaic was found inside this building, and two words were deciphered shortly after the discovery: "amen" and "marmaria"; the latter, literally 'marble', has been interpreted by some scholars as perhaps linked with the cult of the Virgin Mary, possibly meaning 'Maria's rabbi', since 'mar' means rabbi.

The scholars who excavated the fragments assume that the marble tablet initially measured some 120 by 60 centimetres. They describe the inscription as being in Hebrew, at least 1,600 years old, and consisting of eight lines commemorating a man (or several) from Tiberias who has (or have) made a donation for the building that included marble. The tablet was set into the floor and was surrounded by a simple opus sectile. It is the only such marble tablet ever found (as of 2015) in an ancient synagogue in Israel or the Golan Heights. The inscription is the first to indicate that the settlement at Kursi was Jewish or Judaeo-Christian.

See also

References

  1. ^ Megalithic Portal website, Kursi National Park - Ancient Village or Settlement in Israel, article dated September 26, 2017
  2. ^ "Our Researchers Uncover a Unique Hebrew Inscription Showing Existence of a Jewish Village at Kursi" (Press release). University of Haifa. December 2015.
  3. ^ University of Exeter website, Architecture and Asceticism section, Kursi Church, Galilee, article by Lucy O'Connor, August 2013
  4. ^ Israel In and Out website, Archaeological Discoveries in Kursi
  5. Embassy of Israel in Sweden website, Sea of Galilee: Perfect place for a Christian pilgrimage, article dated April 12, 2013
  6. "Dan Urman, 1945–2004". Biblical Archaeology Society. 24 August 2015.
  7. ^ Misgav, Haggai; Artzy, Michal; Cohen, Haim. "The Synagogue Inscription from Kursi" (PDF). Journal of The Jesus Movement in Its Jewish Setting from the First to the Seventh Century. Retrieved 19 June 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. Blumenthal, Ian (16 December 2015). "Discovery suggests Jews lived in Galilee 1,500 years ago". Y-net. Retrieved 16 December 2015.

External links

National parks in the Israeli-occupied territories
East Jerusalem
Golan Heights
West Bank
See also: National parks of Israel
Categories: