Tikvah
Editors’ Pick

September 12, 2025

A Byzantine-Era Samaritan Estate Discovered in Central Israel

Complete with a Greek inscription, beautiful art, and ritual baths.

In the Second Temple period and after, the Samaritans—members of an offshoot of Judaism who claim descent from the Ten Lost Tribes—had a significant presence in the Land of Israel, perhaps dominating a central swath of the country. Now they are a small group, concentrated near their temple in Samaria (whence their name). A recent discovery gives archaeologists a new perspective on the group’s history. Rossella Tercatin reports: 

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