A magnificent and expansive agricultural estate, about 1,600 years old uncovered in central Israel.

 A magnificent and expansive agricultural estate, about 1,600 years old, was uncovered in Kafr Qasim, located in central Israel.

The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by the Israel Ministry of Construction and Housing prior to establishing a new northern neighborhood, is within the boundaries of the archaeological site Kh. Kafr Ḥatta. Impressive remains of a Samaritan settlement, which existed for about 400 years, from the end of the Roman period to the end of the Byzantine period (forth–seventh centuries CE) were revealed. The site of Kh. Kafr Ḥatta is described in historical sources as the birthplace of Menander, the Samaritan magician, successor of Simon Magus, who was considered the father of the Gnostic sects and one of Christianity’s first converts.

According to Alla Nagorsky and Dr. Daniel Leahy Griswold, the Israel Antiquities Authority excavation directors: “The size and splendor of the buildings discovered, the quality of their mosaic floors and the impressive agricultural installations, all point to the great wealth and prosperity of the local Samaritan community over the years.”

In one of the buildings, a magnificent mosaic floor was preserved, decorated with a dense geometric pattern and vegetal images. Alongside its central medallion are acanthus leaves combined with rare decorations of fruits and vegetables – such as grapes, dates, watermelons, artichokes and asparagus. In the entrance to this room was a partially preserved Greek inscription wishing the building’s owner Good Luck!; the owner’s first name was common in Samaritan communities.

In the northern part of the estate were found an olive press, a spacious warehouse building and a public purification bath – a miqveh. The proximity of the oil press to the miqveh was probably used to produce olive oil in purity. The olive press was carefully planned, consisting of two wings; the northern wing contained the main production areas, while auxiliary rooms were erected in the southern wing. In the production areas, two screw presses were found, as well as a large crushing basin in which the olives were crushed. “This type of olive press is more typical of the Jerusalem region and the Judean Shephelah and is less common in Samaria” says Nagorsky. Over the years, the estate saw dramatic changes. “The wealth and luxury of the buildings were replaced by oil production and agricultural installations. New walls damaged the mosaic floors, and the magnificent capitals and columns were integrated within the new walls.”

Nagorsky suggests that these changes are related to the Samaritan Revolts under the Byzantine rule – a series of 5th–6th century CE uprisings against the Byzantine emperors, who enforced restrictive laws on members of other religions.

“What makes this site particularly interesting is that unlike some of the other Samaritan sites that were destroyed in these revolts, the agricultural estate in Kafr Qasim actually continued in use, and even preserved its Samaritan identity – as evidenced by the Samaritan ceramic oil-lamps uncovered in our excavation,” Nagorsky says.

“This is a fascinating site, which displays the historical gamut between the days of prosperity and the decline of the Samaritan community,” says Nagorsky. “Its long-term existence and impressive findings will allow us to reconstruct its history over centuries and will enrich our knowledge about this population in ancient times.”

The Ministry of Construction and Housing is cooperating with Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists in the field and assisting in conservation operations, parallel to promoting the neighborhood’s development in other areas.