5th Century Jewish Tombs at Zohar/Zohara

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Approximately 100 tombstones dating to the 4th and 5th century CE were found in Zohar/Zohara on the eastern shores of the Dead Sea. Unlike other tombs found in Israel, these are the only tombstones that include the date of death, taking up most of the space on the tombstone. The recording was according to the year in the sabbatical cycle as well as the year count from the Temple destruction.

One such tombstone, dating back to 438 CE, reads: "This is the tombstone of Hannah, daughter of Ha[niel] the priest, who died on the Sabbath, the first festival day of Pesach (Passover), on the 15th day of the month of Nissan, in the fifth year of the sabbatical cycle, which is the year 369 after the destruction of the Temple. May her soul rest. Peace.”

Map: AnaRina Kreisman

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Israel Museum. Picture: AnaRina Kreisman

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Israel Museum. Picture: AnaRina Kreisman

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Overview

Approximately 100 tombstones dating to the 4th and 5th century CE were found in Zohar/Zohara on the eastern shores of the Dead Sea. Other than other tombs found in Israel, these are the only tombstones that include the date of death, taking up most of the space on the tombstone. The recording was according to the year in the sabbatical cycle as well as the era from the Temple destruction.

Tombstone of Hannah

Zoar, 428 CE, standstone and red pigment

"This is the tombstone of Hannah, daughter of Ha[niel] the priest, who died on the Sabbath, the first festival day of Pesach (passover), on the 15th day of the month of Nissan, in the fifth year of the sabbatical cycle, which is the year 369 after the destruction of the Temple. May her soul rest. Peace"

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Hasadia the Priest

Zoar, 514 CE, sandstone and red pigment

"May the soul of Hasadia the Priest, son of Dematin, rest, who died on Thursday, the 5th of Av, in the 4th year of the sabbatical cycle, which is the year 445 after the destruction of the Temple. Peace on Israel. Peace.

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