A large winepress was discovered in Tzur Natan in the southern Sharon region. The winepress was probably part of the estate of a wealthy landlord named Adios, the proprietor of a large estate about 1600 years ago, at the beginning of the 5th century CE.
On the fringes of the winepress, a blessing inscription was found on a mosaic in a Tabula Ansata shape. The inscription in Greek reads, “Only God helps the beautiful land of Lord Adios, Amen.”
Dr. Hagit Torga, excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, remarked:
“This impressive winepress was probably part of an agricultural estate belonging to a distinguished man named Adios. The winepress is the second of its kind in Israel, in which a Samaritan mosaic inscription is found. The location of the winepress, close to the remains of a Samaritan synagogue discovered several years ago, attests to the high status of the synagogue.”
Remains of a Samaritan synagogue that was converted into a church during the 6th century CE were exposed in excavations that were conducted in the past at the top of the tell, next to which a large complex of rooms for wine, oil and wheat was incorporated, as well as an engraved seven-branched lamp.
Photo: Raleb abu Diab, IAAMosaic inscription
The inscription in the winepress joins evidence about the extensive Samaritan settlement in southern Sharon area some 1600 years ago, and adds information regarding the lives of the Samaritans in the Byzantine period. Remains of a Samaritan settlement were discovered in the past at Tell Qasile on the banks of the Yarkon River in Tel-Aviv, with a Samaritan synagogue in the site.
The first Samaritans were brought to Israel as part of the exiles and population exchanges of the Assyrian kings in the 8th century BCE, and they initially settled in the Nablus and Samaria regions. Over the years they spread to the southern Sharon region, while preserving their unique traditions and customs. During the 6th century CE the Samaritans rebelled against the Byzantines three separate times, in an attempt to preserve their identity. After these rebellions, their population significantly declined, and concentrated on the area of Mount Gerizim. Today there is a very small Samaritan community on Mount Gerizim and the city of Holon, less than a thousand people in total.