Discovered in Galilee, the underground system is the most vast and spectacular ever found in the region.
During archaeological excavations in Huqoq, near the Sea of Galilee, a diverse group of students, citizens and military personnel uncovered a historical secret. They found evidence that, in anticipation of the First Jewish Revolt against Rome in AD 66 and the subsequent Bar Kohba Revolt in AD 132, local residents transformed an ancient cistern into an intricate maze of tunnels.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) reported the discovery of multiple underground passages, strategically designed to facilitate hidden movement beneath homes. In an ingenious defensive strategy, eight chambers were created interconnected by tunnels dug at right angles, a measure to prevent the advance of armed Roman soldiers hunting the insurgents.
The recent excavation revealed a remarkable collection of artifacts: hundreds of pottery and glass fragments, as well as a remarkable ring designed to house a gem, although the original precious stone is missing. Alongside these, other intriguing items were found, each telling its own story of the past.
Huqoq has been recognized as a Jewish settlement since the early Roman era, dating back to approximately two millennia ago. The sacred texts of the Talmuds, both from Jerusalem and Babylon, make reference to the scholars Rabbi Pinchas and Rabbi Hezekiah, prominent figures of the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, who resided in this region. On an elevation near the labyrinth of tunnels, archaeologists found a synagogue adorned with magnificent and unique mosaics dating back to the Byzantine era.
“The tunnel complex offers a glimpse into a difficult period for the Jewish population in Huqoq and the Galilee in general,” say excavation directors Uri Berger of the IAA and Prof. Yinon Shivtiel from Zefat Academic College. “However, what the site also tells is an optimistic story of an ancient Jewish people who managed to survive historical tribulations.”
“It is a story of residents who, even after losing their freedom and after many difficult years of uprisings, emerged from the complex of hideouts and established a thriving village, with one of the most impressive synagogues in the region,” they added.
The recent discovery of this complex of underground refuges could shed light on a historical debate that has persisted for decades. Scholars are divided over the geographic reach of the Bar Kohba Revolt: while some argue that it was limited to Judea and central Israel, others argue that it extended as far as Galilee. These new findings could be crucial in unraveling this question.
“It is unclear whether the complex was used for hiding and escape during the rebellions against the Romans, but it appears to have been prepared for this purpose. We hope that future excavations will bring us closer to the answer”, concluded the researchers.
