Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority have unearthed a cache of 114 bronze coins, dating to the Year Four of the Great Revolt, at an archaeological site on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
The hoard of 114 bronze coins from the Great Revolt Era unearthed on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Israel. Image credit: Vladimir Niihin / Israel Antiquities Authority.
On one side, the coins are stamped with a chalice and the Hebrew inscription “To the Redemption of Zion.”
The other side bears the images of a bundle of lulav (palm branch) and two etrogs (yellow citrons), and the inscription “Year Four” – the fourth year of the Great Revolt (69-70 CE).
“The hoard, which appears to have been buried several months prior to the fall of Jerusalem, provides us with a glimpse into the lives of the Jews living on the outskirts of Jerusalem at the end of the rebellion,” said Dr Pablo Betzer and Dr Eyal Marco of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
“Evidently someone here feared the end was approaching and hid his property, perhaps in the hope of collecting it later when calm was restored to the region.”
“The hoard was concealed in the corner of a room, perhaps inside a wall niche or buried in the floor. Two other rooms and a courtyard belonging to the same building were exposed during the course of the archaeological excavation.”
The structure was built in the 1st century BC and was destroyed in 69 or 70 CE when the Romans were suppressing the Great Revolt.
“Early in the 2nd century CE part of the building was re-inhabited for a brief period, which culminated in the destruction of the Jewish settlement in Judea as a result of the Bar Kokhba rebellion. This is attested to by three complete jars that were discovered embedded in the courtyard floor.”
The archaeologists added: “it seems that the residents of this village, like most of the Jewish villages in Judea, were active participants in both of the major uprisings against the Romans – the Great Revolt and the Bar Kokhba Revolt. As a result of their involvement the place was destroyed twice, and was not resettled.”
