Samson in Stone: New Discoveries in the Ancient Galilean Village and Synagogue of Huqoq

In this slide-illustrated lecture, Professor Magness describes her discoveries at Huqoq, an ancient Galilean village where she has been conducting excavations since 2011. These discoveries include a monumental, Late Roman (fifth century) synagogue building paved with mosaics depicting the biblical hero Samson and a battle scene with elephants that might be connected with the Maccabean martyrdom traditions. The lecture is sponsored by the Duke Center for Jewish Studies and co-sponsored by the North Carolina Society of the Archaeological Institute of America and the Duke/UNC Center for Late Ancient Studies. It is open to the public.