Archeologists Unearth 2,000-Year-Old Jewish Quarter in Russia, Reveal It Is World's Oldest Synagogue Outside Israel

Archeologists recently uncovered a structure in Russia, which they believe is the oldest ever synagogue built outside Israel in the world. The discovery was made in 2023 at Phanagoria, a site well-known for its ancient history, Greek Reporter reported.

Researchers claim that the place of worship was built about 2,000 years ago, during the era of the Second Temple. Along with the synagogue, the researchers also uncovered a historic Jewish quarter in the nearby area.

The discovery has been termed as 'rare' because Jewish places of worship from the Bronze Age (2000 years ago) were mostly built in Israel, Live Science reported. The synagogue was unearthed a few miles east of Crimea on Russia's Taman Peninsula. The dating process conducted by archeologists associated with the project is yet to be peer-reviewed, but despite that, the team remains confident with their assessment.

Ruben Bunyatyan, a spokesman for the Volnoe Delo Foundation, the organization responsible for excavations at the Phanagoria site stated that the marble tablets and inscriptions found in the synagogue were analyzed to be from the first century B.C. He added that one tablet found at the site was inscribed with the Greek word "synagein," and dated back to the fifth century B.C. His theory is that this tablet was brought from someplace else and placed in the Russian synagogue.

Researchers associated with the project also cited a previously found inscription from A.D. 41 that mentioned a synagogue in Phanagoria as proof of their dating. The damage undertaken by the document though puts the reliability of the inscription into question for many archeologists.

Archeologists have found along with tablets, items like marble menorahs, or ceremonial nine-branched candlesticks and the remains of marble columns, paintings, and tiles inside the synagogue, Live Science reported. According to the researchers, the place of worship was active till the mid-sixth century and then fell into ruins due to continuous attacks by local barbarian tribes.

Certain experts have raised doubts regarding the synagogue's age. Some claim that the synagogue could have been built at a later date, in the fourth century A.D., well after the fall of the Second Temple. "There's not enough information to get a professional understanding of the claims,"  Jon Seligman, an archaeologist at the Israeli Antiquities Authority said.

Phanagoria has been a popular hunting ground for archaeologists all over the world because of its historical significance, Live Science reported. The city was established by refugees from the Greek city of Teos. Excavations have been ongoing at this site since 2004, with one of their most recent discoveries being a silver medallion depicting the Greek goddess Aphrodite in one of the graves.