Archaeology

Gamla

Gamala, Salem, es Salam

Place description

The town, located in the Golan, was part of Josephus’s territory during the early stages of the Revolt of 66-74 CE; sometimes Josephus implies that it was in the Galilee. Built from local basalt on an isolated hill shaped like a camel hump (Arabic, jamal; from which the town gained its name), the town was fortified naturally, although prior to the Roman siege a wall was added on the northeast. Josephus gives an extended description of the town and the siege (War 4.4-83). Excavations began a short time after the site was first identified during the survey of the Golan, and continued for fifteen seasons. The archaeological finds over the many seasons show a high correlation with the geographical description and battle story as described by Josephus. After the town was conquered and destroyed by the Roman army, it was never rebuilt (see Gutman in NEAEHL 2: 459-63). <br>The site covers more than 100 dunams (10 hectares; 25 acres) on the steep southeast slope; it was first inhabited in the Hellenistic period (though there was also a small walled city in the Early Bronze Age). The excavations have revealed several residential areas, one of which had rich houses with frescoes and stuccoed walls, two olive presses (with an attached mikveh), flower mills, and a synagogue. Many of the buildings were roofed with basalt slabs. The added defensive wall on the northeast was built quickly; it cut through some houses, blocked gaps between other houses, and filled in the eastern room of the synagogue. A round tower strengthened the point where the wall met the ridge. <br>The synagogue, one of the earliest to have been excavated (first century CE), is of fundamental importance for consideration of pre-70 CE synagogues. The Gamla building is a modest multi-purpose space, with attached Beth ha-Midrash and nearby mikveh. The interior has columns on four sides and heart-shaped columns at the corners, with variously designed capitals, founded on stylobates on a beaten earth floor; there are three benches around the perimeter on three sides, and five benches at the front. A small cupboard may have held the torah scrolls (Richardson 1996b). More recently, a second large building has been located on the west edge of town, with three parallel and interconnected square rooms, each opening through a wide opening onto other spaces. Its purpose is not known; it may be either a second public building or possibly a large, rich, private dwelling. Coins. The latest coins, found in the destruction layer of the site, were minted at Acco in the reign of Nero. Five specimens of a previously unknown type of bronze coin also were found, carrying the inscription “For the freedom of Jerusalem.” It appears that the revolt coins minted at Jerusalem from 67 CE were not distributed in the Galilee at the beginning of the war. After the Galileans became aware of this type of “revolt” coins with their slogans, however, they minted their own at Gamla a short time before the Roman siege (Syon 1992-93). An important coin hoard of silver Tyrian shekels was found just outside the door of the large olive press.<br>Military finds. Substantial evidence for a lengthy siege and a heavy battle was found all over the site. A few thousand arrowheads and catapult bolts, together with hundreds of ballista stones, were found, mainly along the firing line, on both sides of the newly built wall. Various elements of Roman army equipment such as swords, armor, and helmets were found.<br>Other small finds. Carved gemstones, sealing rings, cosmetic implements, needles and other jewelry were also found, as well as several lead medallions. The great majority of the pottery and the glass vessels were Early Roman.