Qatzrin—Reconstructing Village Life in Talmudic Times

Before 1967, the Golan Heights was, archaeologically speaking, terra incognita. Since then, surveys and excavations have revealed a rich Jewish life there during the third through eighth centuries C.E.,^a what may be regarded as the talmudic and early medieval periods in Jewish history.^b

For nine years I (Ann Killebrew) have been directing excavations in the talmudic-period village of Qatzrin¹ (pronounced kats-REEN).² Ancient Qatzrin is one of approximately 30 Jewish villages in the central Golan. Its synagogue is the best preserved in the region.”^c

The goals of this project were to excavate the synagogue and to recreate its ancient setting as the central focus of Jewish daily life in the village.