Huqoq (Lower Galilee) and its synagogue mosaics: preliminary report on the excavations of 2011-13

Horvat Huqoq (henceforth Huqoq; pronounced “hoo-COKE”) lies 3 km northwest of the Sea of Galilee. The site (map ref. 1952/2546) sits on a moderate hill surrounded by arable land, with alluvial plains on the west. A perennial fresh water spring (En Huqoq) is located at the foot of the N slope. Roads run 2 km to the south (the Wadi Zalmon route) and 3 km to the north (the Beth ha-Kerem to Ramat Korazim route).1 The remains of the ancient settlement (c.25-30 dunams) are covered partly by the ruins of the 19th-20th c. village of Yakuk (c.10 dunams), which was inhabited until 1948.