Archaeologists and students recently discovered a treasure trove consisting of 160 ancient coins during excavations in Israel.
The discovery, announced by the University of Haifa on December 30, was made during excavations in the Jordan Valley. Coincidentally, archaeologists found the coins during Hanukkah.
In a press release that was translated from Hebrew to English, the university explained that the artifacts date back to the Hellenistic period. The coins show Alexander Janej, who was the king of Judea from 103 BC. Kr. to 76 BC Kr.
Jannaeus, the Jewish leader of the Hasmonean dynasty, preceded the destruction of the Second Temple, which was a major place of Jewish pilgrimage and closely related to the Hanukkah story.
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160 ancient coins were recently found in the Jordan Valley. (University of Haifa)
Images released by the university show coins of various shapes and sizes, but still with faint symbols.
The hoard, believed to be the largest of its kind ever found in Israel, contains coins inscribed in Aramaic and Greek. According to the University of Haifa, archaeologists have found very few caches of coins minted under Alexander Jannaeus.
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The coins were minted during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus, the Hellenistic Jewish king. (University of Haifa)
The university also said the coins were found at a “road station,” or a stop for travelers along the road leading to Alexandria, the ancient fortress. They were found in a room that probably served as a kitchen.
“Researchers are convinced that the excavation site in the Jordan Valley… is a hitherto unknown way station, on the main road leading to the fortress of Sartaba (Alexandrion), built by King Yanai,” the University of Haifa said in a Facebook post.
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The ancient resting place where the coins were discovered also consisted of a mikveh, which is a ritual Jewish bath, and a basin or reservoir used to hold water.
In a press release, archaeologist dr. Shai Bar noted that the discovery was very significant for his excavation team amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
Ancient coins were discovered during Hanukkah. (University of Haifa)
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“The students and volunteer excavators who took part in the excavation were very excited to find such a Hasmonean hideout, and even more so during Hanukkah, and this added a special meaning to them … during the difficult days that pass through our people in this day and age,” he said. Bar.
The find is one of many ancient artifacts discovered in Israel in late 2024. Earlier in December, unusual oil lamp with 1,700-year-old traces of soot was found near the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
The coins were found at what researchers believe was a passenger stop. (University of Haifa)
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Israeli officials also announced that a 12-year-old Israeli girl had made the discovery ancient egyptian amulet in December, which was dated to about 3,500 years ago.
