Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered a Samaritan estate dating back 1,600 years, shedding new light on one of the Bible’s most historic communities. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the discovery Sept. 2, following excavations in Kafr Qasim, a city in central Israel.
Officials said the estate belonged to a Samaritan community that flourished from the 4th to the late 7th century A.D. and may be linked to Khirbet Kafr Ḥatta, which some believe to be the birthplace of Menander of Samaria, a disciple of Simon Magus mentioned in the Book of Acts.
The star find was a “magnificent” mosaic floor decorated with acanthus leaves, fruits, and vegetables such as grapes, watermelons, and asparagus. Another mosaic bore a Koine Greek inscription wishing the estate’s owner good luck, a detail that points directly to the Samaritan roots of the site.
Other discoveries included an olive press, a purification bath, and two screw presses, evidence that the estate transitioned into an oil production hub during the turbulent Samaritan revolts under Byzantine rule. “The wealth and luxury of the buildings were replaced by oil production and agricultural installations,” excavation director Daniel Leahy Griswold explained.
Archaeologist Alla Nagorsky said the survival of the site offers rare insight into Samaritan resilience. “Its long-term existence and impressive findings will allow us to reconstruct its history over centuries and will enrich our knowledge about this population in ancient times,” she said.
