Maon

Religion: Jewish

Archaeological Evidences:

Period: Late Roman and/or Byzantine
Excavation: Excavated
Main Finds: Columns, benches, remains of Mosaic. Rectangular apse in northern wall, Marble Menorah.
Mosaics: Zvi Ilan and David Amit (1987-1988)
Site Condition: open to the public. Security forces should be contacted for visit.
Amit and Ilan 1990: 116. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society

Geographic Details

Geographical Region: South Hebron Mountains
316, ישראל

Open the map in a new window

Selected Bibliography:

Selected Bibliography
  1. Amit, D. and Ilan, Z. "The Synagogue at Maʿon in Judea" in Ancient Synagogues Revealed: 1981-2022. ed. L. I. Levine, Z. Weiss, U. Leibner, Jerusalem, Israel Exploration Society, 2023: 236-246.
  2. Amit, D. and Ilan, Z. "The Ancient Synagogue at Maʿon in Judah" Qadmoniot: A Journal for the Antiquities of Eretz-Israel and Bible Lands 91-92, 1990: 115-126, (Hebrew).
  3. Amit, D. The Synagogue of Hurbat Ma'on and Hurbat 'Anim and the Jewish Settelments in Southern Hebron Hills. Jerusalem, Hebrew University, 2003, (Hebrew).
  4. Ilan, Z. and Amit, D. "Maon" The New Encyclopedia of Archeological Excavations in the Holy Land. 1993: 942-944.
  5. Spigel, C.S. Ancient Synagogue Seating Capacities. Tubingen, 2012: 239-243.
  6. Werlin, S. The Late Ancient Synagogues of Southern Palestine. Leiden, 2015: 200-211.
Bibliographic citation of this page
Ben David, C. Osband, M. Aviam, M. Site: ‘Synagogues.Kinneret.ac.il’, The Bornblum Eretz Israel Website for the Study of Ancient Synagogues, accessed on 20 June 2026, https://synagogues.kinneret.ac.il/synagogues/maon/

Photos:

Photos
General view, courtesy of Kfar Etzion field school © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
General view, courtesy of Kfar Etzion field school
General view, courtesy of Kfar Etzion field school © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
General view, courtesy of Kfar Etzion field school
Amit and Ilan 1990: 115. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
Tel Maon and the Synagogue at the Lower Right Corner | Amit and Ilan 1990: 115. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society
Amit and Ilan 1990: 116. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
General View of the Synagogue | Amit and Ilan 1990: 116. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society
Amit and Ilan 1990: 116. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
The Western Wall- South Glance | Amit and Ilan 1990: 116. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society
Amit and Ilan 1990: 118. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
The hole on the Southern-Western Corner of the Synagogue and the Mikveh Beneath | Amit and Ilan 1990: 118. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society
Amit and Ilan 1990: 119. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
The Mikveh- The Entrance and the Western Wall of the Synagogue- | Amit and Ilan 1990: 119. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society
Amit and Ilan 1990: 119. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society. © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
The Eastern Wall of the Synagogue- Looking South. | Amit and Ilan 1990: 119. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society.
Amit and Ilan 1990: 123. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
Menorah- Reconstruction | Amit and Ilan 1990: 123. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society
Amit and Ilan 1990: 124. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
The Menorah Fragmetns | Amit and Ilan 1990: 124. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society
Amit and Ilan 1990: 124. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
Lion Head | Amit and Ilan 1990: 124. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society
Amit and Ilan 1990: 124. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
Lion Head | Amit and Ilan 1990: 124. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society
Amit and Ilan 1990: 125. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
Two Lion Fragments | Amit and Ilan 1990: 125. Courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society

Plans and Drawings:

Plans
Ilan and Amit 1993: 942, coutesy of the Archaeology Department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria and the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
Ilan and Amit 1993: 942, coutesy of the Archaeology Department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria and the Israel Exploration Society
Phase 1 Ilan and Amit 1993: 943, courtesy of the Archaeology Department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria and the Israel Exploration Society © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
Phase 1 Ilan and Amit 1993: 943, courtesy of the Archaeology Department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria and the Israel Exploration Society
Excavation plan Amit 2003: fig. 4.5 © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
Excavation plan Amit 2003: fig. 4.5
Phase 2 Amit 2003: fig. 4.9 © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
Phase 2 Amit 2003: fig. 4.9
Phase 1 on the right and phase 2 on the left, Amit 2003: fig. 8.4 © <i> synagogues.kinneret.ac.il </i>
Phase 1 on the right and phase 2 on the left, Amit 2003: fig. 8.4

Links: