Archaeologists and students recently discovered a treasure trove of 160 ancient coins during an excavation in Israel.
The discovery, announced by the University of Haifa on December 30, was made during excavations in the Jordan Valley. Coincidentally, archaeologists discovered the coin during Hanukkah.
In a press release translated from Hebrew to English, the university explained that the artifacts date back to the Hellenistic period. The coin depicts Alexander Janaeus, king of Judea from 103 BC to 76 BC.
Jannaeus, a Jewish leader of the Hasmonean dynasty, predates the destruction of the Second Temple, which was a major pilgrimage site for Jews and closely associated with the story of Hanukkah.
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Recently, 160 ancient coins were discovered in the Jordan Valley. (University of Haifa)
Photos released by the university show coins of different shapes and sizes bearing faint symbols.
The cache is believed to be the largest of its kind ever discovered in Israel, and contains coins written in both Aramaic and Greek. According to the University of Haifa, few caches of coins minted under Alexander Janaeus have been discovered by archaeologists.
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This coin was minted during the reign of the Hellenistic Jewish king Alexander Janaeus. (University of Haifa)
The university also said the coin was found at a “roadside station,” a stop for travelers along the road leading to the ancient fortress of Alexandrion. What was discovered was a room that appeared to have been used as a kitchen.
“Researchers believe that the excavation site in the Jordan Valley…is a previously unknown roadside station on the main road leading to the Sartaba Fortress (Alexandrion) built by King Yanai. ” Haifa University said in a Facebook post.
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The ancient resting place where the coin was discovered also consisted of a mikveh, a Jewish ritual bath, and a pool or cistern used to store water.
Archaeologist Dr. Shai Bar said in a press release that the discovery was of great significance to his excavation team in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war.
Ancient coins were discovered during Hanukkah. (University of Haifa)
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“The students and the volunteer excavators who worked on the excavation were very excited to find these and other Hasmonean ruins during Hanukkah. This had special meaning to them. We gave…during the difficult days that are currently inheriting our people,” Barr said. .
The discovery is one of many ancient artifacts to be discovered in Israel in late 2024. In early December, a rare 1,700-year-old oil lamp with soot marks was discovered near Jerusalem's Mount of Olives.
The coin was found in what researchers believe was a tourist stopover. (University of Haifa)
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Israeli authorities also announced in December that a 12-year-old Israeli girl had discovered an ancient Egyptian amulet dating back about 3,500 years.
