Stuart Winer is editor of The Times of Israel.
Forty-four pieces of natural gold were recently discovered hidden in excavations of a wall at the archaeological site of Banias in the northern Hermon River Nature Reserve, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Monday.
The treasure, which weighed about 170 grams, was discovered hidden at the base of a stone wall.
Archaeologists have estimated that the treasure was hidden by its owner during the Muslim conquest of the domain in 635 CE.
“The discovery reflects an express moment in time, when one can believe that the owner hides his fortune under the risk of war, hoping to return one day to recover his property,” excavation director Yoav Lerer said in a statement. “In retrospect, we know he was less lucky. “
“The discovery of the hidden treasure of coins could also affect the economy of the city of Banias during the last 40 years of Byzantine rule,” Lerer said.
It is known that some of the coins were minted by Emperor Phocas (602–610 AD). C. ) and others by Emperor Heraclius (610–641 AD). The last coins of Heraclius date from the time of the Muslim conquest.
Gabriela Bijovsky, a coin expert with the Israel Antiquities Authority, said Emperor Heraclius’ coins are interesting because they make up a quick record of his family.
“In his early years as emperor, only his portrait was depicted on the coin, while after a short time, the symbols of his sons also appear,” he explained. He seems to be the same length as his father, who is depicted with a long beard. “
IAA Director Eli Escosido said the treasure is of specific importance because it “dates from an era of vital transition in the history of the city of Banias and the entire Levante region. “
Excavations in the northwest residential domain of the ancient city of Banias also exposed remains of buildings, canals and water pipes, a ceramic kiln, bronze coins, pottery fragments and glass and steel artifacts, the IAA said. It was Byzantine from the early seventh century AD to the early Middle Ages in the XI-XIII centuries.
Evidence of colonization centered around a giant spring in the archaeological of Banias dates back to the Canaanites in 2000 BC. It spans generations through the Hellenistic and Roman periods, then the Byzantine period, the Crusader period and the Muslim conquest.
“The Banias Nature Reserve, with its unique nature and landscape, never ceases to amaze us from an ancestral and cultural point of view,” said Raya Shurky, director of the National Parks Authority.
The excavations were funded through the Israel Electric Corporation, which is wearing down paintings to link the ancient Druze saint of Maqam Nabi Khadr to the national force network.
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