Near Migdal in Kinneret, Northern District, Israel — West Asia (the Levant in the Middle East)

House of Miqwa'ot

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, April 5, 2019

1. House of Miqwa'ot Marker

Inscription. The main axis of this complex is a north-south street that divides two buildings. There are two types of contexts here: housing units in the southern area are constructed simply with blocks of basalt stone and limestone walls. To the east ands west of the street, spaces with hewn basalt stone are distinguished and still preserved. East of the street there is a building with steps that lead to two miqwa'ot (ritual purification baths), a room paved with hewn basalt stone and another with a mosaic floor. A corridor that runs parallel to the street connects the miqwa'ot and the basalt stone room with benches. To the West of the street a second building with similar architecture was found. Here, two miqwa'ot and a room with a basalt floor can be observed. The characteristics of these spaces suggest that this is a ritual area dedicated to purification and suggests a higher socioeconomic level and the possibility that these spaces were occupied by Jewish religious elite.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures •

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Settlements & Settlers.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 32° 49.586′ N, 35° 30.822′ E. Marker was near Migdal, Northern District, in Kinneret. It was on Northern District Route 90 0 kilometers east of Route 807, on the right when traveling north. This marker is located in the midst of the archaeological ruins at the Magdala archaeological excavation site. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it was in Asia,

specifically in West Asia,

in the Middle East,

in The Levant,

on the Red Sea,

in a coastal Mediterranean country,

and in the Western World.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire,

the Ottoman Empire,

a British Mandate,

and the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Domestic Housing Area (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named House of Miqwa'ot (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named House of Miqwa'ot (a few steps from this marker); Magdala's Hall of Fame (a few steps from this marker); Market

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, April 5, 2019

2. House of Miqwa'ot Marker

Close-up view of the photos displayed on the marker that features an aerial view of the ruins; rooms with stairs, benches and floor paved with hewn basalt, looking west; rooms paved with hewn basalt stone, looking east; die found in the ritual building.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Discoveries at Magdala (within shouting distance of this marker); The Migdal Synagogue (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Magdala (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Migdal.

Another marker is no longer nearby. House of Miqwa'ot (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This marker is located in the Magdala archaeological excavation site, in the ruins of the ancient Jewish village. It is my impression that these ancient Jewish ruins are very significant in both the historical and archaeological record of ancient Judaism, because several of the artifacts and structural elements that were found in the ruins of this village are now on display in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Magdala is also part of the Biblical record, being a site that was visited by Jesus, as mentioned in Matthew 15:39.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, April 5, 2019

3. House of Miqwa'ot Marker

Distant view of the portion of the excavation that contains the features that are discussed on this marker, in particular the room paved with hewn basalt stone.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, April 5, 2019

4. House of Miqwa'ot Marker

Distant view of the portion of the excavation that contains the features that are discussed on this marker, in particular a portion of the room paved with hewn basalt stone, along with a partial view of the adjacent miqwa'ot.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, April 5, 2019

5. House of Miqwa'ot Marker

View of the portion of the excavation that contains the features that are discussed on this marker, in particular one of the miqwa'ot.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, April 5, 2019

6. House of Miqwa'ot Marker

View of the featured marker, paired with a second marker, with the House of Miqwa'ot ruins in the background.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, April 5, 2019

7. House of Miqwa'ot Marker

Distant view of the featured marker, seen on the right, paired with a second marker, with the House of Miqwa'ot ruins in the background.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, May 19, 2019

8. House of Miqwa'ot Marker

Distant view of the marker, seen on the left side of the gravel walking path, with the Magdala synagogue in the left background, and the spiritual center in the center background.

House of Miqwa'ot Marker Missing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 8, 2023

9. House of Miqwa'ot Marker Missing

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on April 14, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 11, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 9. submitted on April 14, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.