Byzantine-Era Estate of Wealthy Samaritan Unearthed in Israel

A team of archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has unearthed the remains of a 1,600-year-old agricultural estate at Tzur Natan in Israel’s Sharon Plain.

The team, led by IAA archaeologist Dr. Hagit Torge, uncovered an ancient winepress with a mosaic inscription in Greek which reads: ‘Only God help the beautiful property of Master Adios, amen.’

The finds date to the early fifth century CE, during the height of Samaritan settlement and prosperity in the southern Sharon Plain.

“The inscription was discovered in an impressive winepress that was apparently part of the agricultural estate of a wealthy individual called Adios,” Dr. Torge said.

“This is only the second such winepress discovered in Israel with a blessing inscription associated with the Samaritans. The first was discovered a few years ago in Apollonia near Herzliya.”

Samaritans were originally settled near Mount Gerazim by the Assyrians, whose policy in war was to displace and relocate their captives to discourage them from rebelling. Over time as the population grew, Samaritans settled also in the Sharon Plain.

“Samaritans maintained their special customs and traditions, which resemble Jewish traditions in many aspects,” the archaeologists said.

“During the Byzantine period, they revolted against the government in an attempt to maintain their identity. After the revolts the community diminished in size and returned to the Mount Gerizim area. A Samaritan community still lives at Mount Gerizim, as well as in the city of Holon south of Tel Aviv.”

Near the winepress the team discovered stone quarries with rock-cut depressions used for cultivating grapevines, apparently part of Master Adios’ estate.

“Master was an honorific given to senior members of the community and attests to the high social standing of the owners of the estate,” Dr. Torge said.

“The location of the winepress is near the top of Tel Tzur Natan, where remains of a Samaritan synagogue were found with another inscription, and reveals Adios’ high status. During the sixth century the synagogue was remodeled into a church.”

“Past discoveries near the structure revealed a wine, oil, and flour production compound. In one of the compound’s large rooms a ‘Pompeian Donkey Mill’ inscribed with a menorah was found. In ancient times, a donkey would have been used to turn a heavy stone, grinding the grain into flour.”