The Road from Cana to Capernaum The view is looking due north from Kh. Umm el–Amud. On the left (west) side of the image, in the bright haze, is the Bet Netofa Valley where Cana of Galilee is located. The watershed ridge is visible just left of the center of the image—to the left of the olive grove. The Bet Netofa Valley drains to the west (to the left) while to the right of the olive grove the drainage is east (right) down to the Sea of Galilee near Magdala. There was an important road that connected the port of Ptolemais to Cana 17 mi. [27 km.], Cana to Kh. Umm el-Amud 6 mi. [10 km.], and Kh. Umm el-Amud to Magdala 6 mi. [10 km.].

The Road from Cana to Capernaum This image illustrates well this road as it comes—from west to east (left to right) from the Bet Netofa Valley, over the ridge by the olive grove, and begins its descent (east) through the brown fields and green groves to the Sea of Galilee. It seems to me that Jesus and his followers may have used this road on a number of occasions as they traveled from Nazareth to Cana and from there to Magdala—on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Once at Magdala they could turn north to Capernaum or south to Tiberias.

Synagogue 1 View looking south at the main hall of the third/fourth century synagogue at Kh. Umm el–Amud. Note the variety of column bases and capitals that have been placed on the stone stylobate. According to the excavators a few remnants of a mosaic floor were found, but we were not able to see any of them when visiting the site. The synagogue was 75 ft. [23 m.] long and 46 ft. [14 m.] wide—facing towards Jerusalem (the direction of this image). The standing column is in the northwest corner of the synagogue. Note all the architectural fragments in the vicinity.

Synagogue 2 View looking north at the main hall of the third/fourth century synagogue at Kh. Umm el–Amud. The synagogue was 75 ft. [23 m.] long and 46 ft. [14 m.] wide—facing towards Jerusalem. The standing column is in the northwest corner of the synagogue. Note all the architectural fragments in the vicinity.

Lion Lintel

Lion West Detailed view of the lion on the right (west) portion of the lintel. Just left of center its face is clearly visible. Note the two eyes, the mane, the nose, and the mouth. Its front leg, back leg, and tail are also visible. To the left of the lion's face the remnant of a vase is visible.

Lion East Detailed view of the lion on the left (east) portion of the lintel. On the left of the image note the tail and the two back legs and paws. The body is visible but the face is worn off. Note also the carving on the top of the lintel.

Capital Detailed view of one of the limestone capitals that is sitting on the stylobate of the synagogue. It appears to be of the Ionic order.

Heart Shaped Column View of a fragment of a heart shaped column. Heart shaped columns were often times used at the rear of synagogues—such as those at Capernaum and the synagogue at Arbel.

Thistle Plant A thistle plant in bloom on 1 June.