UM Expertise at Huqoq: Prof. Dennis Mizzi’s Contribution to a Landmark Excavation

Image: Donkeys in Noah's Ark Mosaic (Photo Credit - Jim-Haberman)

The Huqoq Excavation Project is set to benefit from a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of State, awarded to the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research, with Prof. Dennis Mizzi of the University of Malta playing a central role in advancing the project’s next phase.

Located in Israel’s Lower Galilee region, Huqoq has transformed scholarly understanding of ancient Jewish religious and cultural life. Excavations uncovered a Late Roman (ca. 400 C.E.) synagogue adorned with exceptionally well-preserved mosaics depicting biblical scenes, as well as the first non-biblical narrative ever discovered in an ancient synagogue. These mosaics were recognised by National Geographic as one of the “100 Archaeological Treasures of the Past” and have attracted widespread national and international media attention.

The excavations, conducted between 2011 and 2023, were directed by Prof. Jodi Magness (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and assisted by Prof. Dennis Mizzi, who joined the project in 2014 and was appointed assistant director in 2019. He has played a key role in the interpretation, management, and dissemination of the findings. He is now, together with Magness, overseeing the publication of the excavation results, ensuring their long-term scholarly impact.

Under the newly awarded grant, the team will serve as archaeological consultants, partnering with the Israel Antiquities Authority on targeted excavations, large-scale conservation, and the development of the site for sustainable tourism. This work will safeguard the synagogue and its mosaics while making them accessible to wider audiences.

The grant represents a significant investment in shared cultural heritage, public diplomacy, and the preservation of archaeological resources central to the region’s history.

Commenting on the award, Albright Institute Director Jamie Fraser noted that the grant strengthens the institute’s mission to promote U.S. scholarship in the region and foster collaborative international partnerships. Magness added that the funding highlights the importance of the discoveries made at Huqoq; discoveries to which Prof. Mizzi’s long-term involvement and leadership have been integral.

Founded in 1900, the Albright Institute is the oldest U.S. research centre in the Middle East, hosting scholars from around the world and supporting research excellence, international collaboration, and public engagement.