Archaeologists and students recently discovered a treasure trove consisting of 160 old coins during an excavation in Israel.
The discovery, announced on December 30 by the University of Haifa, was made during an excavation in the Jordan Valley. Coincidentally, archaeologists found the coins during Hanukkah.
In a press release translated from Hebrew to English, the university explained that the artifacts date back to the Hellenistic period. The coins depict Alexander Jannaeus, who lived in 103 BC. to 76 BC. was king of Judea
Jannaeus, a Jewish leader of the Hasmonean dynasty, predated the destruction of the Second Temple, an important Jewish pilgrimage site and closely related to the story of Hanukkah.
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160 ancient coins were recently found in the Jordan Valley. (University of Haifa)
Photos released by the university show the coins, which have different shapes and sizes but still contain vague symbols.
The cache, believed to be the largest of its kind ever found in Israel, contains coins written in both Aramaic and Greek. According to the University of Haifa, very few caches of coins minted under Alexander Jannaeus have been found by archaeologists.
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The coins were minted during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus, a Hellenistic Jewish king. (University of Haifa)
The university also said the coins were found in a “road station,” a stop for travelers along the road leading to Alexandrion, an ancient fortress. They were discovered in a room probably used as a kitchen.
“The researchers are convinced that the site of the excavations in the Jordan Valley… is a previously unknown road station, on the main road leading to the fortress of Sartaba (Alexandrion), which was built by King Yanai.” University of Haifa in a Facebook post.
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The ancient resting place where the coins were discovered also consisted of a mikveh, a ritual Jewish bath, and a pool or reservoir used to hold water.
In a press release, archaeologist Dr. Shai Bar notes that the discovery was very significant for his excavation team during the war between Israel and Hamas.
The ancient coins were discovered during Hanukkah. (University of Haifa)
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“The students and the volunteer excavators at the excavation were very excited to find such a Hasmonean cache, and more during Hanukkah, and this added a special meaning to them… during the difficult days our people are currently undergoing,” Bar said. .
The find is one of several ancient artifacts discovered in Israel in late 2024. Earlier in December a special oil lamp 1,700-year-old traces of soot were found near the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
The coins were found in what investigators believe was a stopover for travelers. (University of Haifa)
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Israeli officials also announced that a 12-year-old Israeli girl had a ancient Egyptian amulet in December, which was about 3,500 years old.
