Archaeologists and students recently discovered a treasure consisting of 160 old coins During excavations in Israel.
The discovery, announced by the University of Haifa on December 30, was made during excavations in the Jordan Valley. By chance, archaeologists found the coins during Hanukkah.
The university explained in a press release translated from Hebrew to English that the artifacts date back to the Hellenistic era. The coins depict Alexander Jannaeus, who was king of Judea from 103 BC to 76 BC
Jannaeus, a Jewish leader of the Hasmonean dynasty, preceded the destruction of the Second Temple, which was a major site of Jewish pilgrimage and is closely linked to the story of Chanukah.
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160 ancient coins were recently found in the Jordan Valley. (University of Haifa)
Pictures published by the university show coins of different shapes and sizes, still retaining faded symbols.
The cache is believed to be the largest of its kind ever found in Israel, and contains coins written in Aramaic and Greek. Archaeologists have found quite a few caches of coins minted during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus, according to the University of Haifa.
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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 “way station”, or a stop for travelers along the road to the ancient Alexandrion Castle. They were discovered in a room that was most likely used as a kitchen.
“Researchers are convinced that the excavation site in the Jordan Valley… is a way station that has not yet been known, on the main road leading to the Sarataba Castle (Alexandria), built by King Yanai,” the University of Haifa said in a Facebook post.
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The ancient rest house where the coins were discovered also consists of a mikveh, a ritual Jewish bath, and a pond or tank that was used to hold water.
In a press release, archaeologist Dr. Shai Bar noted that this discovery was very meaningful to his excavation team amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
The ancient coins were discovered during Hanukkah. (University of Haifa)
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Barr said: “The students and excavators who volunteered for the excavation were very excited to find such a Hasmonean cache, and even more so during the Hanukkah holiday, and this added special importance to them… during the difficult days that are passing for our people at the present time.” .
The discovery is one of many ancient artifacts discovered in Israel at the end of 2024. Unusual oil lamp 1,700-year-old traces of soot were found near the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
The coins were found at what researchers believe was a travelers station. (University of Haifa)
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Israeli officials also announced that a 12-year-old Israeli girl had discovered the substance Ancient Egyptian amulet In December, dating back nearly 3,500 years.
