Sepphoris Synagogue (Tzippori Synagogue)

3D Model

The remains of a mosaic floor from a fifth-century CE syngaogue at the ancient city of Sepphoris in the Galilee of Israel. The mosaic floor contains the remains of seven bands depicting the following, beginning with the bottom-most:

1. Angelic visitation of Sarah
2. The binding of Isaac
3. The four seasons, zodiac, and Helios (sun-god) riding a chariot
4. Temple offerings
5. Aaron offering sacrifices at the desert tabernacle
6. Temple and ark scene
7. Lions flanking a wreath

This model will be used as part of a larger project, funded through a grant from the Center for Digital Humanities Initiative at UNC-Chapel Hill, to visualize the ancient synagogue in its entirety both in an openly accessible, online navigable model (using Unity3D) and a VR visualization, using room-scale navigation with the HTC Vive.

A 360-degree photo of the Sepphoris synagogue can be seen here.