Huqoq Exhibit Unveils Ancient Mosaics and Coins Found in Israel

A new exhibit at the Yigal Allon Center offers the public its first look at treasures unearthed from the ancient Jewish settlement of Huqoq. The Israel Antiquities Authority announced the exhibit on Thursday, featuring a complete floor mosaic of Samson carrying the gates of Gaza and a previously unseen hoard of bronze coins.

Huqoq, which flourished during the Roman-Byzantine period, is situated in the Amiad Forest. It is renowned for the synagogue excavations led by Professor Jodi Magness, which revealed extraordinary mosaics with biblical and extra-biblical scenes. The IAA noted that the range of mosaics at Huqoq is unparalleled in Israel.

"The Huqoq mosaics are some of the most exciting and moving finds I have ever been privileged to unearth," said Magness. "I am delighted that the original Samson mosaic, alongside images of the site’s many other mosaics, are being displayed to the public so close to where they were found."

The exhibit expands beyond the synagogue's floor, presenting Huqoq as a complete village. It includes details about its spring, agricultural facilities, ritual baths, and a hidden underground escape network. Through artifacts, photographs, a model, and an immersive space, visitors can experience the town's rich history, with discoveries still emerging.

Alongside the Samson Mosaic, the exhibit displays the bronze coins found in Huqoq's escape tunnels. Other artifacts, such as a ring and a dagger, have also been recovered from these tunnels, further illuminating the lives of those who inhabited this ancient settlement.

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The Huqoq mosaics are some of the most exciting and moving finds I have ever been privileged to unearth. I am delighted that the original Samson mosaic, alongside images of the site’s many other mosaics, are being displayed to the public so close to where they were found.