Umm el-Umdan
אום אל עומדן | |
 | |
| Location | Israel |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°53′02″N 34°59′48″E / 31.88389°N 34.99667°E |
| Type | Settlement, synagogue |
| Part of | Hellenistic period, Hasmonean dynasty, Second Temple period, Roman period, Byzantine period |
| History | |
| Cultures | Jewish |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | In ruins |
| Public access | Yes |
Umm el-Umdan (Mother of Pillars) is a Jewish archeological site within the boundaries of the Israeli city of Modi'in.[1] Archeological excavations at the site discovered the remains of a Jewish village. The findings show that he place was inhabited from the Hellenistic period, pre-Hasmonean time up to the Byzantine and Early Muslim period, the village was destroyed during the Bar Kokhba revolt.[1]
Etymology
The Arab name of the site derives from the pillars[clarification needed] and pillar remains scattered in the area, Umm el-Umdan = Mother of pillars. The pillars were visible at the site when Clermont-Ganneau first visited the place in 1874–75.[1]
Archeological findings
The excavations conducted at the site since 2001 revealed mainly the remains of a Second Temple period Jewish village. The village was established in the 4th or 3rd century BC and continued up to the Bar Kokhba revolt, The archeological findings include narrow streets, remains of buildings, mikveh, rock-cut tombs and a synagogue.[1][2] After the Bar Kokhba revolts the top part of the site reveals evidence of terraces, Winepresses and burial caves from the Byzantine and late Roman period. The lower part of the site was used as a burial area in the late Muslim period.[1]
Synagogue
The excavation revealed a synagogue from the late Roman period that was destroyed in the Bar Kokhba revolt.[1][3] In the synagogue bases of 2 columns rows were found, 4 columns on each side. Underneath it the remains of a Hasmonean period structure were found, probably also a synagogue and beneath it, the remains of a smaller building from the Hellenistic period.[1][3]
Burial caves
Burial complexes dating to the Second Temple period were found to the east and south of the village.[2] The most notable one was discovered 100 meters east of the village. A luxurious burial complex that was used during the Hasmonean period pre-dating the use of ossuaries up to the 1st century CE when ossuaries were already in use. The finding indicate that burial customs are the same as seen in Hasmonean burial complexes in Jerusalem, Jason's Tomb and even Tomb of Shahin.[4]
Mikveh
West of the synagogue a mikveh was discovered dated to the Herodian period.[1] It seems the during the Hasmonean period there was a bath in the courtyard west to the synagogue.[1]
Identification
The location of the Hasmonean village of Modi'in was never firmly established.[1] Today, researches suggest that based on the archeological finding at Umm el-Umdan it can be identified as the village of Modi'in. Furthermore, its location almost perfectly matches the location seen in the Madaba map.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k וקסלר-בדולח, שלומית; און, אלכסנדר; רפיואנו, יהודה; Weksler-Bdolach, Shlomit; Onn, Alexander; Rapuano, Yehuda (2003). "Identifying the Hasmonean Village of Modi'in / לשאלת זיהויה של מודיעין, עירם של החשמונאים". Cathedra: For the History of Eretz Israel and Its Yishuv / קתדרה: לתולדות ארץ ישראל ויישובה (109): 69–86. ISSN 0334-4657.
- ^ a b "גיליון 118 לשנת 2006ח' אום אל-עומדאן". www.hadashot-esi.org.il. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
- ^ a b "גיליון 126 לשנת 2014ח' אום אל-עומדאן". www.hadashot-esi.org.il. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
- ^ Rahmani, L. Y. (1958). "A Jewish Tomb on Shahin Hill, Jerusalem". Israel Exploration Journal. 8 (2): 101–105. ISSN 0021-2059.