Archaeologists have unearthed the ruins of a synagogue that dates back to the first century BCE in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar Krai. The finding is considered one of the oldest synagogues in the world and sheds light on the history of Jewish communities in the region.
A Rare and Remarkable Discovery
The synagogue was discovered by the scientists of the Phanagoria Archaeological Expedition, named after an ancient Greek city that was located west of modern-day Sennoy in Krasnodar Krai. The expedition is funded by the Volnoe Delo Foundation, established by Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska.
The synagogue was built in a rectangular shape, measuring 21 meters long and 6 meters wide, and divided into two rooms. The structure featured painted walls, a tiled roof, and other decorations. Inside, the archaeologists found several menorahs, altars, fragments of marble steles, including one bearing the word “synagogue” in Ancient Greek. They also recovered tablets with dates from the first century BCE.
The analysis of the fragments revealed that the synagogue was erected at the turn of the millennium and existed for at least 500 years. It has features characteristic of the Second Temple period (597 BCE – 70 CE) of Jewish history, when the Jews lived under Roman occupation in Judea and faced political and religious challenges. The synagogue likely remained standing until the middle of the sixth century CE, when Phanagoria was sacked and burned by barbarian tribes.
A Testimony to Jewish Presence in Phanagoria
The discovery of the synagogue supports accounts from Byzantine and Arab chroniclers about the existence of a substantial Jewish community in Phanagoria. According to some sources, Phanagoria was home to one of the ten tribes of Israel that were exiled by the Assyrians in the eighth century BCE. Other sources suggest that Jews arrived in Phanagoria after the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE.
Phanagoria was a major trade center and cultural hub in the ancient world, situated on a narrow strip of land between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It was founded by Greek colonists in the sixth century BCE and later became part of various kingdoms and empires, such as Pontus, Rome, Byzantium, and Khazaria. It was also a place of religious diversity, where pagans, Christians, Jews, and Muslims coexisted.
The synagogue is not the only evidence of Jewish presence in Phanagoria. In 2012, archaeologists found a gold signet ring with a six-pointed star and a Hebrew inscription that belonged to a Jewish resident named Sadala. In 2014, they discovered a ritual bath (mikveh) that was used for purification purposes by Jews.
A Visit from Local Jewish Community
The rabbi of Krasnodar, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lazar, is set to bring a delegation to visit the site after being invited by the archaeological authority. He expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to witness this historical treasure.
“This is a very rare and remarkable discovery that shows us how ancient and deep-rooted is the Jewish history in this region,” Rabbi Lazar said. “We are honored to be able to see and touch this synagogue that testifies to the faith and resilience of our ancestors.”
The archaeological team plans to continue their research and excavation at the site, hoping to uncover more secrets and insights about the synagogue and its community.
