A treasure of 160 ancient coins was found buried in the kitchen

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Recently, archaeologists and students found a treasure trove of 160 ancient coins. Excavation in Israel.

The discovery announced by the University of Haifa on December 30 was made during an excavation in the Jordan Valley. Coincidentally, archaeologists found the coins during Hanukkah.

In a press release translated from Hebrew to English, the university explained that the artifacts date back to the Hellenistic period.

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The coins depict Alexander Jannaeus, king of Judea from 103 BC to 76 BC.

Jannaeus, a Jewish leader of the Hasmonean dynasty, preceded the destruction of the Second Temple, a major Jewish pilgrimage site and closely related to the story of Hanukkah.

A split view of the Jordan Valley, coins

Recently, 160 ancient coins were found in the Jordan Valley. (University of Haifa)

Images released by the university show coins of various shapes and sizes that still retain faint symbols.

The cache, believed to be the largest ever found in Israel, contains coins inscribed in both Aramaic and Greek.

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According to the University of Haifa, archaeologists have found very few hoards of coins minted during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus.

The coins were minted during the reign of the Hellenistic Jewish king Alexander the Great. (University of Haifa)

The university also said the coins were found at a “way station,” or stopover for travelers along the road to Alexandria, the ancient citadel. They were discovered in a room that was probably used as a kitchen.

“Researchers are convinced that the site of the excavations in the Jordan Valley… is a hitherto unknown way station on the main road leading to the citadel of Sartaba (Alexandria), built by King Yanai. Haifa University wrote on Facebook.

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The ancient resting place where the coins were found also contained a mikveh, a Jewish ritual bath, and a pool or reservoir used to store water.

Archaeologist Dr. Shai Bar said in a press release that the discovery was very meaningful for his excavation team during the Israel-Hamas war.

Ancient coins were discovered during Hanukkah. (University of Haifa)

“The students and volunteer excavators involved in the excavation were thrilled to find such a Hasmonean vault during Hanukkah, and it gave them a special meaning … during the difficult times our nation is facing right now,” Bar said. .

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The find is one of many ancient artifacts discovered in Israel in late 2024.

One in early December unusual oil lamp It was found with traces of 1700 years of soot near the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.