Archaeological Findings in Cástulo Suggest Roman Synagogue Discovery

Recent archaeological excavations in the Ibero-Roman town of Cástulo, located in southern Spain, have presented compelling evidence of a previously undocumented Jewish community that existed during the late Roman period. According to a report published on July 27, 2025, by archaeologists from the Andalusian regional government, the site has yielded significant artifacts, including three oil lamp fragments adorned with menorahs and a roof tile featuring a five-branched menorah. Additionally, a piece of a jar lid inscribed with a Hebrew graffito has further substantiated the existence of this Jewish population, which had remained unidentified until now.

The excavation, part of the Cástulo Sefarad, Primera Luz project, aims to uncover the Jewish history of the region. Bautista Ceprían, one of the lead archaeologists involved, stated, "During the 2012-2013 dig, we found the roof tile with the five-armed menorah. Until that moment, we didn’t know that there could have been a very small Jewish community in Cástulo."

The findings challenge previous assumptions about a structure previously thought to be an early Christian basilica, dating from the fourth century AD. Ceprían, along with colleagues David Expósito Mangas and José Carlos Ortega Díez, posits that the architectural features and lack of Christian artifacts at the site could indicate it served as a synagogue rather than a church. They highlight that typical Christian sites of the era would generally contain burials and religious relics, which are conspicuously absent from this location.

The researchers argue that the building's layout shares similarities with synagogues discovered in Palestine, where Jewish worship often centers on a bimah, a raised platform for reading scriptures. Ceprían noted, "In a church, the priest performs the rituals in the apse, which means things are more rectangular."

Furthermore, the building’s location near a Roman bathhouse, a site regarded with disdain by early Christians, adds another layer of complexity to its historical significance. The baths were the last remnants of pagan practices in the area, leading Ceprían to suggest that the synagogue’s proximity to such a location may have contributed to the Christian hierarchy’s negative portrayal of Judaism at the time. He remarked, "The Jews would have had few options, and it’s clear that the bishops were fundamentally organizing the town."

If the researchers’ theories are validated, the Cástulo synagogue could be among the oldest known Jewish temples on the Iberian Peninsula, predating the few existing medieval synagogues. The existing evidence, however, lacks written historical corroboration, which Ceprían acknowledges could invite criticism. "I’m sure there will be legitimate criticism – that’s how science works and how it has to work. But we believe we’ve provided data with enough seriousness to allow ourselves to posit it,” he stated.

This discovery not only sheds light on the existence of a Jewish community in Cástulo but also indicates a period of peaceful coexistence with Christian neighbors, a stark contrast to later historical events that saw the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Ceprían concluded, "It shows us that there was a good coexistence between all the different social groups or faith groups that were there at that time. But as the Christian church grew stronger, powerful groups began opposing the weaker members of society, a phenomenon that echoes in contemporary times."

The implications of this discovery extend beyond mere historical interest; they illuminate the complex interplay of religious and cultural identities in ancient Spain, offering insights into how communities navigated coexistence amidst shifting social dynamics.