The fish painting swallowed in the 5th century synagogue

A group of archaeologists discovered a series of mosaics in the late Roman cathedral in the Lower Galilea village, Israel, illustrating the legendary scenes in the Bible.

According to the International Business Times, two murals were discovered by Jodi Magness, a professor at the University of North Carolina, USA, along with assistant director of Israel Archaeological Authority Shua Kisilevitz and many other colleagues.

Picture 1 of The fish painting swallowed in the 5th century synagogue
The fish painting swallowed on the wall of the synagogue in Israel.(Photo: Jim Haberman).

The picture depicts the Noah boat crossing the cataclysm, drawing a picture of a boat with animal pairs, including elephants, jaguars, donkeys, snakes, bears, lions, ostriches, camels, sheep and goats. Meanwhile, the picture of the Red Sea portrays the scene of Egyptian soldiers of the pharaoh being swallowed by a large fish surrounded by overturned chariots.

"These are very rare images of ancient synagogues," Magness said. "The same picture on boats Noah is only found at Jerash, Jordan and Mopsuestia, Turkey" . Professor Magness has only recently seen two similar paintings about the Red Sea, including a mural in Dura Europos, Syria and Wadi Hamam, Israel.

Picture 2 of The fish painting swallowed in the 5th century synagogue
Part of the picture depicts the Noah boat transcending the flood.(Photo: Jim Haberman).

Since the first mosaic paintings were discovered in 2012, the Huqoq Excavation Project team has returned to the site every year to expand research.

Another mosaic made by the excavation team in the eastern hallway of the 2013-2014 period depicts the legendary encounter between Alexander the Great and the high-ranking Jewish priests. The next mural found in 2015 surrounded by Hebrew inscriptions is a figure of people, animals and mythical creatures.