A team of archaeologists from the University of Haifa recently made a significant discovery in the Jordan Valley, unearthing a treasure trove of over 160 ancient coins, dating back more than 2,100 years to the Asmonean period.
The excavation, conducted just in time for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, has been described as an "archaeological miracle."
The coins were discovered at what is believed to have been a road station along a main route leading to the ancient Fortress of Alexandria, near Jericho in the West Bank. The fortress, built by King Alexander Jannaeus (also known as Jonathan), was an important site during the reign of the Hasmonean dynasty in the second century BC.
Dr. Yoav Fari, a member of the research team and expert in ancient coins, had arrived at the dig site on Friday with a packet of "Hanukkah Gelt," the traditional chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil given to children during the festival. As a fun gesture, he distributed the chocolates to the team, saying, "This is to find some coins today." Hours later, the ancient treasure was unearthed.
"We were all very excited to find such an Asmonean treasure, especially during Hanukkah," said Dr. Shai Barr, a chief archaeologist with the team, speaking to The Times of Israel.
The coins, minted during the reign of King Alexander Jannaeus (104–76 BC), feature unique inscriptions in both Aramaic and Greek. On one side, they display an eight-pointed star encircled by the inscription "King Alexander Year 25," in Aramaic. The reverse side features an anchor, surrounded by the Greek inscription "[coin] of King Alexander." The discovery of these coins marks one of the largest and most significant finds from the Asmonean era in the region.
“This style of coin, dating back to 80/79 BC, is extremely rare,” said Dr. Barr. In total, more than 200 coins from the Asmonean period have been found at the site, some of which were unearthed in earlier excavations.
A Window into Ancient History
The site of the discovery, once thought to be from the Roman period, appears to be much older. The excavators suggest that it was an active location during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus, and the find offers valuable insight into a specific moment in history. The site includes a mikveh (ritual bath), water storage tanks, and other structures. The room where the coins were found may have been used as a kitchen or food preparation area.
Dr. Barr noted that the discovery provides a rare "time capsule" of the era, which is invaluable for historical research.
A Rare and Historic Find
The location of the excavation has also sparked interest due to its connection to the famous Fortress of Alexandria, mentioned by the historian Josephus and later restored by Herod the Great. The fortress, which once overlooked the Jordan Valley, was destroyed during the Jewish Revolt against Rome (66-74 AD). With such a remarkable collection of coins now uncovered, the find offers a rare and precious glimpse into the ancient world.
This discovery is not only significant for its historical and archaeological value but also for the unique opportunity it presents to study the intersection of Greek and Jewish cultures in the ancient world.
(Source: Enikos)