Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have unearthed a Byzantine-era winepress, a gold coin, and a bronze chain for a glass lamp at a site near Ramat Ha-Sharon in central Israel.
The Byzantine-era winepress at Ramat Ha-Sharon, Israel. Image credit: Yuli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority.
“The excavation unearthed evidence of industrial agricultural activities at the site dating to the Byzantine period, about 1,500 years ago,” said Dr. Yoel Arbel, director of the excavations from the IAA.
“Among the finds, we discovered a large winepress paved with a mosaic floor, various plastered installations, and foundations of a large structure that may have been used as a warehouse or farmstead.”
“Inside the buildings and installations, we found many fragments of storage jars and cooking pots that were used by laborers who worked in the fields here.”
“We also recovered mortars and millstones used to grind wheat and barley and probably crush herbs and medicinal plants.”
“Most of the stone implements are made of basalt stone from the Golan Heights and Galilee.”
The Byzantine gold coin from Ramat Ha-Sharon, Israel. Image credit: Amir Gorzalczany, Israel Antiquities Authority.
Dr. Arbel and colleagues also found a gold coin minted in 638 or 639 CE during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius.
“On one side of the coin, the emperor is depicted with his two sons and on the other a cross upon the hill of Golgotha where Jesus was crucified according to Christian tradition,” they said.
“An interesting addition to the coin is an inscription scratched in Greek and possibly Arabic.”
“This inscription marks the name of the coin’s owner as it was highly valuable,” added Dr. Robert Kool, head of the IAA’s Numismatics Department.
“This is the first archaeological excavation ever conducted at the site, and only part of it was previously identified in an archaeological field survey,” said Dr. Diego Barkan, Tel Aviv Region District archaeologist for the IAA.
“The material remains of the cultural heritage uncovered in our excavations, preserved for ages, are of the most important national assets,” said IAA director Dr. Eli Eskozido.
“IAA sees great importance in making the findings accessible to the public in partnership with local and international communities.”
