1st Century Treasure discovered Near a Main Highway in Israel
Pottery fragments found by IAA inspector during extensive work of a highway project, led to an archaeological dig, which exposed the remains of an unknown settlement from the end of the Second Temple period (1st century AD). Excavations in one of the houses in the found village uncovered a rare treasure which was preserved in a clay pot and consisted of 114 bronze coins, dating to the fourth year of the Great Revolt against the Romans. This revolt led to the destruction of the Temple, in 70 AD.
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| Photo: Vladimir Neihin, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority |
According to Pablo Betzer and Eyal Marco, directors of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The treasure which seems to have been buried a few months before the destruction of Jerusalem, provides a glimpse into Jewish life in the suburbs of Jerusalem at the end of the Jewish rebellion. It seems someone felt the nearing end, and hid his property, perhaps hoping to collect it when calm is restored again". All coins are engraved on one side with a grail and are labeled "To the redemption of Zion". The other side of the coins depicts a Lulav (a young Palm branch) between two citrons. Surrounding this depiction is the engraving: "Year Four", namely the fourth year of the Great Revolt against the Romans (the year 69/70 AD).
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| Photo: Vladimir Neihin, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority |
The treasure was hidden in the corner of a room, possibly within a niche inside the wall, or submerged inside the floor. The archaeological excavations revealed two additional rooms and a courtyard which belonged to the same structure. The building was built in the 1st century BC and it was destroyed in 69 or 70 AD, during the suppression of the great Jewish rebellion.
In the beginning of the 2nd century AD a part of the building was reoccupied for a short period, which ended with the destruction of the Jewish settlements in Judea as a result of the Bar Kokhba revolt. Three jars found intact submerged in the floor of the courtyard are the evidence to the reoccupation of the house during this period.
In the beginning of the 2nd century AD a part of the building was reoccupied for a short period, which ended with the destruction of the Jewish settlements in Judea as a result of the Bar Kokhba revolt. Three jars found intact submerged in the floor of the courtyard are the evidence to the reoccupation of the house during this period.
It seems that the residents of this village, as most of the rural Jews in Judea, took part in both major revolts against the Romans - the Great Revolt and the Bar Kochba revolt. This active participation led to the destruction of the village, twice. It was never rehabilitated again since its second destruction.
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