Overview

Bibliography

Hammat Tiberias is the southern suburb of Tiberias. Originally a distinct city from Tiberias, it was gradually incorporated into the administrative structures of Tiberias. The city's history was thus linked to that of Tiberias. As its name indicates, the prominent feature of the city was its hot spring, still flowing today.

Hammat Tiberias was first excavated in 1921 by N. Slouschz, who uncovered a square synagogue in the northern part of the city. The remains along the city's southern wall that are recorded in this project were excavated during two seasons from 1961-1963 by M. Dothan for the Israel Department of Antiquities. Although three strata were discerned, two strata remain visible, each with two sub-phases. In Stratum II, dated to the fourth century of the Byzantine period, a broadhouse synagogue was uncovered with well preserved mosaic carpets. A Greek inscription states that the synagogue was built by Severus, a "pupil of the most illustrious patriarchs." In the late Byzantine period a new synagogue was built in the basilica form. Included with this synagogue was a beth midrash. The synagogue was rebuilt at the beginning of the Umayyad period and continued until the Abbasid period when the city was destroyed and abandoned. The city gate and wall also date to the period of the second synagogue.

The archaeological strata uncovered at the site, as illustrated in the site plan, date to the following periods:

	Late Byzantine – Early Islamic Period
	Early Byzantine Period