Magdalene: Jerusalem’s 2,000-year-old carving is the world’s oldest known menorah carving

In 2009, Israeli archaeologists discovered a giant stone in an ancient synagogue near the Sea of ​​Galilee. There was an ancient menorah carved into it. Only a few depictions of menorahs exist from the Second Temple period, which ended in 70 AD when the Romans destroyed both the Temple and Jerusalem, and the Magdalene Stone may be the oldest of these.

During archaeological excavations prior to construction, archaeologists discovered the remains of a synagogue on the site of the ancient city of Magdala (also known as Migdal), said to be the birthplace of Mary Magdalene. The synagogue was in use from around 50 AD, and was abandoned and collapsed around 80 AD.

Inside a small room where Torah scrolls are believed to have been kept, archaeologists discovered a unique rectangular limestone block set on four stone feet, now known as the Magdalene Stone. Five sides of the stone were decorated with reliefs of synagogue objects. One of these carvings, the seven-branched menorah, has been the focus of much debate since the stone’s discovery.

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Magdalene stone measures approximately 23.6 x 19.7 x 15.7 inches (60 x 50 x 40 centimeters). The long sides of the stone are carved with a series of round arches separated by columns, and the top contains images of flowers. At one of the narrow ends, a menorah rests on a square box flanked by amphora or clay jugs. The seven branches of the menorah mirror the menorah used in Second Temple ceremonies.

In his research, archaeologist Mordecai Aviam writes that the Magdalene Stone may have been used as a pedestal for a Torah reading table, and that its decoration depicts the Temple of the Holy of Holies, where according to Jewish tradition resides the presence of God. This temple of the Holy of Holies was located in the Second Temple in Jerusalem. After the sack of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Romans removed the golden menorah from the Second Temple and paraded it through Rome, eventually commemorating their military victory at the Arch of Titus.

The discovery of Second Temple carvings outside Jerusalem suggests that pilgrims saw the Temple of the Holy of Holies and its golden menorah before the Second Temple was sacked. This pilgrim probably commissioned their representations for the Magdalene Synagogue before it was destroyed, making the Magdalene Stone the oldest image of the Seven Branched Menorah of the Second Temple ever discovered.

This year, Hanukkah begins after sunset on December 14th. The Festival of Lights lasts for eight days. Today, Jews typically use a nine-branched menorah called a hanukkiah. It celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees revolted against the Seleucid rulers of Syria in the 2nd century BC. The Seleucids outlawed Jewish customs and introduced pagan worship to the Second Temple.

After expelling the Seleucids, the Maccabees ritually purified and rededicated the temple. Jewish scholars disagree on the significance of why Hanukkah lasts eight days. Some say the Maccabees unexpectedly discovered a flask of oil that had been burning for eight days, but others suggest that the people may have been late observing Sukkot, which celebrates the fall harvest.

For more amazing archaeological discoveries, check out our Astonishing Artifacts archive.