by Excavators in Israel have discovered a treasure trove of 44 Byzantine gold coins and other valuables.
Coins from the hoard were struck by Byzantine Empire under Emperor Phocas (AD 602 to AD 610) and Emperor Heraklion (AD 610 to 641). All the money was gold the solidus coins, which were common currency during the Byzantine era (ca. 330 AD to 1453). Experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) dated the latest coins in the crypt to the time of the Muslim conquest of Byzantine Palestine, which occurred in 635 AD, according to a statement.
“Most of the coins are of the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius,” IAA numismatic expert Gabriela Bijovsky said in the statement. “And what is particularly interesting is that in his early years as emperor, only his portrait was depicted on the coin, while after a while the images of his sons also appear. One can actually watch his sons grow up — from childhood to Their image appears the same size as their father, who is depicted with a long beard.’
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Researchers discovered the coins in the Hermon Stream Nature Reserve in northern Israel, which was once the site of the ancient city of Banias (also known as Paneas or Panias) and once served as a place of worship to Pan, a half-human Greek god of fertility and half a goat, according to an article in the journal Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research (opens in new tab). Christians believe that it is the place where “the Apostle Peter preached Jesus to be Christ,” according to the announcement.
The cache of coins was found at the base of a stone wall and experts believe it was left there by someone fleeing during the Muslim conquest.
“The discovery reflects a specific moment in time when we can imagine the owner hiding his property in the threat of war, hoping to return one day to recover his property,” Yoav Lerer, director of excavations for the IAA, said in the statement. . “In hindsight, we know he was less fortunate.”
In addition to the coins, the researchers found the remains of buildings. channels and water pipes. a furnace for making pottery. copper coins; and fragments of vessels, glass and metal objects.
“The discovery of the coin hoard may also shed light on the economy of the city of Bania during the last 40 years of Byzantine rule,” Lerer said.
