Ancient Samaritan Property Discovered in Israel

A property linked to the ancient Samaritans, which is around 1,600 years old, has been unearthed in Israel. This was announced by the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA) on September 2, with the excavation taking place in Kafr Qasim, situated in the central part of the country.

According to authorities, the remains reflect a prosperous Samaritan community that thrived from the 4th century through to the late 7th century.

The site, part of Khirbet Kafraatta, is thought to be the birthplace of Samaria, associated with a notable figure, Simon Magus. He is cited in biblical texts as one of the early Christian converts but faced reprimand from Peter for attempting to offer money for spiritual gifts.

Among the notable finds was a beautifully crafted mosaic floor featuring Acanthus leaves—a motif typical in Roman and Byzantine artistry—intermixed with intricate designs of various fruits and vegetables like grapes and watermelons, in addition to more unusual items like artichokes and asparagus.

Interestingly, a Koine Greek mosaic was also discovered, bearing a message possibly from the property’s owners. It reads, “The wealth and luxury of buildings have been replaced by oil production and agricultural facilities.” Apparently, there’s a partially preserved Greek inscription near the entrance that wishes good fortune to the owner, whose name was common in the region’s Samaritan community.

Additionally, excavators came across olive presses and mikubes, used for purification, along with a basin for crushing olives, indicating the area may have evolved for oil production, likely associated with a Samaritan uprising during Byzantine rule.

Daniel Leahy Griswold, the excavation director at the IAA, remarked on how the new infrastructures had sadly damaged the original mosaic floors, noting that older architectural elements were integrated into the new walls.

Experts consider this site a significant find, especially since many other Samaritan locations were lost during historical upheavals. They noted that Kafr Qasim’s continuous use has preserved a sense of Samaritan identity, even amidst challenges over the centuries.

Excavation Director Ara Nagorsky described the site as “attractive,” primarily due to its representation of both the rise and decline of the Samaritan community. She emphasized that the extensive evidence gathered here will help reconstruct the history of this group, enriching our understanding of their existence in ancient times.