[Elder of Ziyon] 1500 year old Jewish town found near Beersheva

The Israel Antiquities Authority announced yesterday the discovery of a Jewish town near Beersheva that flourished in the 6th century CE.

Archaeologists uncovered two ritual baths and two public buildings with platforms on the Jerusalem-facing walls, indicating that they were either synagogues or Talmud schools.

It appears that the town was evacuated around the time of the Muslim invasion.

Indeed, it seems that the land of Israel had a significant - if not majority - Jewish population for centuries after the Roman conquest until the Muslim hordes came.

An aerial view of the town:

And some of the excavations:

(h/t The Muqata)

--
Posted By Elder of Ziyon to Elder of Ziyon at 9/03/2012 12:30:00 PM