Archaeologists have uncovered a vast agricultural estate dating back about 1,600 years in the town of Kafr Qasim, a Palestinian community near the border between Israel and the West Bank. The excavation, carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), revealed the remains of a Samaritan settlement that thrived between the late Roman and Byzantine periods.
The site offers a glimpse into a community that flourished for around four centuries. According to historical sources, this was the birthplace of Menander, a Samaritan magician and successor of Simon Magus, who was regarded as the father of Gnostic sects and one of Christianity’s first converts.
The Israel Antiquities Authority excavation in Kafr Qasim. Aerial photograph: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority
Excavation directors Alla Nagorsky and Dr. Daniel Leahy Griswold of the IAA highlighted the site’s significance: “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.”
Mosaics, Inscriptions, and Ritual Baths
Mazal Tov – Good Luck! The inscription on one of the mosaics. Photo: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority
One of the estate’s standout features is a richly decorated mosaic floor with intricate geometric and vegetal patterns. Its central medallion is surrounded by acanthus leaves and rare depictions of fruits and vegetables, including grapes, dates, watermelons, artichokes, and asparagus. At the entrance, archaeologists found a partially preserved Greek inscription that reads “Good Luck!”—a dedication to the building’s owner, whose name was common among Samaritan communities.
An olive press for production of oil in ritually pure conditions and an adjacent ritual bath (miqveh). Photo: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority
In the northern part of the estate were found an olive press, a spacious warehouse building and a public purification bath known as 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.
Shifts in Use and Historical Context
Architectural elements decorating the magnificent Samaritan agricultural estate. Photo: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
Over time, the estate underwent major changes. The ornate residential buildings gave way to agricultural production, with new walls cutting through mosaic floors and decorative architectural elements reused as building material. Nagorsky suggests these changes reflect the upheavals caused by the Samaritan revolts against Byzantine rulers in the fifth and sixth centuries.
“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.
Oil press revealed on the site. Photo: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority
“This is a fascinating site, which displays the historical gamut between the days of prosperity and the decline of the Samaritan community,” Nagorsky adds. “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.”
Top Image: Magnificent mosaics attesting to the great wealth and prosperity of the ancient Samaritan community. Photos: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority
Archaeologists have uncovered a vast agricultural estate dating back about 1,600 years in the town of Kafr Qasim, a Palestinian community near the border between Israel and the West Bank. The excavation, carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), revealed the remains of a Samaritan settlement that thrived between the late Roman and Byzantine periods.
The site offers a glimpse into a community that flourished for around four centuries. According to historical sources, this was the birthplace of Menander, a Samaritan magician and successor of Simon Magus, who was regarded as the father of Gnostic sects and one of Christianity’s first converts.
Excavation directors Alla Nagorsky and Dr. Daniel Leahy Griswold of the IAA highlighted the site’s significance: “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.”
Mosaics, Inscriptions, and Ritual Baths
One of the estate’s standout features is a richly decorated mosaic floor with intricate geometric and vegetal patterns. Its central medallion is surrounded by acanthus leaves and rare depictions of fruits and vegetables, including grapes, dates, watermelons, artichokes, and asparagus. At the entrance, archaeologists found a partially preserved Greek inscription that reads “Good Luck!”—a dedication to the building’s owner, whose name was common among Samaritan communities.
In the northern part of the estate were found an olive press, a spacious warehouse building and a public purification bath known as 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.
Shifts in Use and Historical Context
Over time, the estate underwent major changes. The ornate residential buildings gave way to agricultural production, with new walls cutting through mosaic floors and decorative architectural elements reused as building material. Nagorsky suggests these changes reflect the upheavals caused by the Samaritan revolts against Byzantine rulers in the fifth and sixth centuries.
“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,” Nagorsky adds. “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.”
Top Image: Magnificent mosaics attesting to the great wealth and prosperity of the ancient Samaritan community. Photos: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority
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