Excavation activities at a nature reserve in Israel have revealed 44 extremely rare gold coins from the Byzantine period.
Israeli archaeologists have discovered 44 rare coins from the Byzantine Empire and many other valuable items.
The coins contained in this “treasure” appear to have been minted during the reigns of Emperor Phocas (602 to 610 AD) and Emperor Heraclius (610 to 641 AD).
All coins were made from pure gold, which was the common form of currency during the Byzantine period (circa 330 to 1453 AD).
Experts estimate the treasure has a total weight of about 170 grams and is hidden in the ruins of an ancient city of the Byzantine Empire, the Eastern half of the Roman Empire, which once existed gloriously for more than 1,000 years. year.
The ancient city is now nestled within the reserve.
One of the world’s most valuable treasures has been revealed in Israel, both pure gold, exquisitely crafted, and a “time capsule” that takes scientists back to the legendary Byzantine Empire.
Archaeologists in Israel say 44 pure gold coins dating back to the 7th century were found hidden in a wall at a nature reserve.
Excavation director Yoav Lerer told BBC: “The new discovery mirrors a specific moment in the past. We can imagine the owner of this vault is trying to hide his assets in the face of war, hoping that one day he will come back to retrieve it,” he said. “Now when we look back, we know that person was not lucky.”
In addition to gold coins, the excavation also discovered the remains of buildings, water canals and pipes, copper coins and many other valuable things, according to Israeli authorities.
Dr. Gabriela Bijovsky, a numismatic expert at the Israel Antiquities Authority, said some of the coins were from Emperor Phocas (602-610), but most were from Heraclius’s successor.
“Most of the coins belong to the time of the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius,” Dr. Gabriela Bijovsky said in the official announcement. “What is especially interesting is that during (Heraclius’s) early years as emperor, only his portrait was depicted on coins. But a short time later, the images of his sons also appeared on coins coin, about the same size as his father, who is described as having a long beard.”
With its age, historical value and pure gold material, it can be said that this is an unparalleled and desirable treasure for the world’s archaeologists. Ancient coins are one of the artifacts that reveal the most information, from the history of the dynasty that minted them, the level of metallurgy and metalworking of the people of that period, trade relationships… .
