Golan Archaeological Museum
Encyclopedia
The Golan Archaeological Museum is a museum of the archaeological finds of the Golan Heights, located in Katzrin.
The museum features artifacts from all historical periods. Among these are artifacts and decorated architectural fragments from a number of Byzantine-period Christian churches and villages, including finds from Kursi
, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee
, which is identified with Gergasa, the New Testament site of the "Miracle of the Garadene Swine" (Luke 8:22-39).
A room in the museum is dedicated to the story of Gamla
, the Jewish town besieged and razed by the Romans during the Great Jewish Revolt. A scale model and film are used to describe the conquest and destruction of the town and all of its inhabitants by Vespasian
in 67 CE. On display are finds from the site, including arrowheads, ballista stones, clay oil lamps, and coins minted in the town during the siege.
Other artifacts of note in the museum are many columns, lintels and other architectural parts recovered from the ruins of ancient synagogues throughout the Golan Heights. These are elaborately carved with dedicatory inscriptions and with Jewish symbols.
The museum features artifacts from all historical periods. Among these are artifacts and decorated architectural fragments from a number of Byzantine-period Christian churches and villages, including finds from Kursi
Kursi
Kursi may refer to:*Arabic word for throne, as in the Tunisian title Bey al-Kursi*Hindi and Urdu word for chair, may also be used for an official title, such as that of a president or chairman*Alternative name for the Curonians...
, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee
Sea of Galilee
The Sea of Galilee, also Kinneret, Lake of Gennesaret, or Lake Tiberias , is the largest freshwater lake in Israel, and it is approximately in circumference, about long, and wide. The lake has a total area of , and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m...
, which is identified with Gergasa, the New Testament site of the "Miracle of the Garadene Swine" (Luke 8:22-39).
A room in the museum is dedicated to the story of Gamla
Gamla
Gamla was an ancient Jewish city in the Golan Heights. Inhabited since the Early Bronze Age, it is believed to have been founded as a Seleucid fort during the Syrian Wars. The site of a Roman siege during the Great Revolt of the 1st century CE, Gamla is a symbol of heroism for the modern state of...
, the Jewish town besieged and razed by the Romans during the Great Jewish Revolt. A scale model and film are used to describe the conquest and destruction of the town and all of its inhabitants by Vespasian
Vespasian
Vespasian , was Roman Emperor from 69 AD to 79 AD. Vespasian was the founder of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for a quarter century. Vespasian was descended from a family of equestrians, who rose into the senatorial rank under the Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty...
in 67 CE. On display are finds from the site, including arrowheads, ballista stones, clay oil lamps, and coins minted in the town during the siege.
Other artifacts of note in the museum are many columns, lintels and other architectural parts recovered from the ruins of ancient synagogues throughout the Golan Heights. These are elaborately carved with dedicatory inscriptions and with Jewish symbols.