A 6,000-year-old copper fishing hook— one of the oldest copper fishhooks in the world was discovered in Ashkelon

The fishhook, possibly for hunting sharks, was discovered in the Israel Antiquity Authority excavations carried out prior to the construction of the Agamim neighborhood in Ashkelon * The special find will be exhibited at the 48th Archaeological Congress, organized by the Israel Antiquity Authority, the Israel Exploration Society, and the Israeli Archaeological Association.

A 6,000-year-old copper fishhook— one of the oldest known in the world—possibly for fishing sharks or very large fish, was discovered in the Israel Antiquity Authority excavations carried out prior to the construction of the new Agamim neighborhood in Ashkelon in 2018. The find, presented here for the first time, will be exhibited in April at the 48th Archaeological Congress, organized by the Israel Antiquity Authority, the Israel Exploration Society, and the Israeli Archaeological Association.

According to Dr. Yael Abadi-Reiss, co-director of the excavation and Dr. Daniel Varga, both from the Israel Antiquities Authority, “This unique find is 6.5 cm long and 4 cm wide, its large dimensions making it suitable for hunting 2–3 m long sharks or large tuna fish. More ancient fishhooks found previously were made of bone and were much smaller than this one. The use of copper began in the Chalcolithic period. It is fascinating to discover that this technological innovation was applied in antiquity to produce fishhooks for fishermen along the Mediterranean coast.”

In the Chalcolithic period, there were large villages around Ashkelon, whose economy was based on branches of agriculture still common today, such as the pasturing of sheep, goat, and cattle, the cultivation of wheat, barley, and legumes and the tending of fruit orchards. “We learn about the dietary habits of the people who lived here 6,000 years ago from the remains of animal bones found in ancient rubbish pits, from burnt wheat grains found in ovens, and from the hunting, cooking, and food-processing tools retrieved, including flint sickles, and a variety of pottery vessels that served for the storage, cooking and the conservation of food by fermentation and salting. The rare fishhook tells the story of the village fishermen who sailed out to sea in their boats and cast the newly invented copper fishhook into the water, hoping to add coastal sharks to the menu,” says Dr. Abadi-Reiss.

The research on the copper fishhook is being undertaken by Dr. Yotam Asscher of the Israel Antiquity Authority and Magda Batiashvilli, and we await new discoveries on this fascinating artifact. Advanced technologies are available for today’s scholars, opening a world of new questions that could not previously be answered.

The special find will be exhibited for the first time at the 48th Archaeological Congress of the Israel Antiquity Authority, the Israel Exploration Society and the Israeli Archaeological Association, which will be held on April 3rd, 2023.

Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquity Authority, said, “We are very excited that the Israel Antiquity Authority will host the Congress participants in the new home of Israel archaeology- the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Givat Ram, Jerusalem. A modern visitors’ center will be set up for the general public, enabling a glimpse “behind the scenes” of the extensive archaeological activity in Israel and a view of some of the wonderful treasures that come to light from underground.”

An ancient mosaic floor adorned with colorful floral designs has been re-uncovered after 40 years along the Israel National Trail

The mosaic floor of an ancient church was first discovered in the 1980s but was since been covered over and not accessible. Now the Israel Antiquities Authority, together with the Shoham Local Council and with the help of volunteers, have prepared the site for visitors along the Israel National Trail. Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Yair Amitzur: "It's quite feasible that the mosaic artisan sat here and was inspired by the anemones flowering all around him."

The fine colorful mosaic adorned with the flower designs that are being uncovered is located in the Shoham Industrial Zone. The Israel Antiquities Authority, together with the Shoham Local Council and with the help of volunteers, is restoring part of the archaeological site of Horvat El-Bira, which was covered over for the last 40 years, and creating a site for visitors along the Israel National Trail.

A Roman-period rural villa was located at the site, and agricultural processing installations and several buildings that served the ancient residents are extant today. In the Byzantine period, a church was built, located alongside the ancient road that connected the coastal area with the Judean Shephelah lowlands, now crossed by the modern Highway No. 6. Along the ancient road, there were ancient "refreshing stations"  every few kilometers: Tel Tinshemet, Horvat El-Bira, and Horvat Hani, this last site also recently conserved by the Israel Antiquities Authority. These sites offered the ancient travelers a place to rest, pray, and recover their energy.

"When we first came to the site, the mosaic was covered with earth and weeds. Over the last month, we have been uncovering and cleaning up the site with the local

community," says Yair Amitzur, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority Central Region Education Department. "We are working here amongst a carpet of flowering anemones. One can imagine that the surroundings inspired the artist of the flower-adorned mosaic."

"The site was first excavated in the 1980s by Professors Zeev Safrai and Shimon Dar," says Anan Azab, Israel Antiquities Authority Director of the Central District. "It seems that the site was settled from the Iron Age or earlier, possibly as early as the Chalcolithic period, and down to the Islamic period."

The restoration and cleaning up of the site is being carried out by the Shoham community and by Israel Antiquities Authority volunteers from around the country in the context of 'Good Deeds Day.' The Israel Antiquities Authority and the Shoham Local Council have also erected a new seating area for the pleasure of the hikers and the residents.

In the framework of the project, the Israel Antiquities Authority team has connected the site with the adjacent new offices of the Israel Antiquities Authority Central Region in Shoham by becoming 'Israel Trail Angels.' Amitzur adds, "Thanks to the project, Israel Trail hikers will be able to stop here, replenish their water supplies, drink a cup of coffee, and "en route" (literally), receive an explanation on the site."

According to Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority: "It is very moving to meet good people who voluntarily enlist to enhance the local heritage and to create a good seating area along the Israel trail. This type of activity reflects the Israel experience at its best. I hope every hiker along the Israel National Trail will appreciate the humane values of our heritage and will perhaps be motivated to participate in one of the Israel Antiquities Authority initiatives and activities close to their home. The archaeological heritage can be found throughout the country; one only has to raise one's eyes or perhaps look down on the ground to see it!"

The Shoham Local Council Mayor, Eitan Patigro: "Shoham values its local nature and history, which plays a central role in the residents' leisure time. The new site is located in the heart of the Shoham High-Park Logistic Center, and I do not doubt that it will be a center of attraction for the residents and visitors. The proximity to the Israel National Trail and the Food-Tracks that will be set up in the adjacent parking area provides an opportunity for a short and interesting walk while learning about the history of settlement in the Land of Israel and specifically in our region. I am grateful to the Israel Antiquities Authority for the initiative to uncover this fascinating site, and I thank the local pupils who participated in the project."

Davidson Center in Jerusalem Archaeological Park Re-Opens to Public with Brand-New Modernized Visitor Experience

The newly renovated Davidson Center re-opens with updated exhibits featuring first-ever publicly displayed archaeological finds, innovative technology, and interactive galleries

The Davidson Center in Jerusalem Archaeological Park will reopen to the public on March 13 after being closed for three years for renovations. Located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the Temple Mount, visitors to the newly renovated Davidson Center will explore the theme of the Temple City of Jerusalem through a unique combination of ancient archaeological finds, innovative technology, artistic depictions, and interactive galleries. The Davidson Center renovation project, which included a building expansion and full content refresh, was led by the Israel Antiquities Authority with funding provided by the William Davidson Foundation.

The Davidson Center will feature several ancient artifacts, dating back to the First Temple Period 2,700 years ago, with some of the oldest known inscriptions bearing Jerusalem’s ancient Hebrew name, “yršlm”. Visitors will experience an entire gallery dedicated to the story of the origin of the Temple Menorah. Among the artifacts on display is an extremely rare coin minted by the last Hasmonean king, Antigonus II Mattathias, depicts the Temple Menorah and is the oldest known artistic representation created 107 years before the Second Temple’s destruction.

“This is the oldest known artistic depiction of the menorah, created 107 years before the destruction of the Second Temple,” says Dr. Yuval Baruch, head of archaeology department at the Israel Antiquities Authority, who was one of the excavators of the site and led the archaeological curation of the Davidson Center. The other archaeological find on public display for the first time since it was excavated in the 1950’s is a fragment of plasterwork from a Second Temple era burial cave, known as Jason’s Tomb, bearing five carvings of menorahs.

The Southern Wall, adjacent to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park and the Davidson Center, is also strongly featured. In Temple times, this wall contained the main entry point for pilgrims ascending the Temple courtyards (via the Hulda Gates) to fulfill the commandment of bringing offerings on festivals and other occasions.

“We are excited to announce the reopening of the Davidson Center, which will offer visitors a unique experience exploring Jerusalem’s rich and varied history through its archaeological treasures,” said Darin McKeever, president and CEO of the William Davidson Foundation. “We believe that the museum will be an important cultural destination for both foreign and Israeli visitors, and we look forward to sharing the stories and discoveries from Jerusalem’s past with this large and diverse audience. The William Davidson Foundation is proud to continue building on its late founder’s transformational investments in Jerusalem Archaeological Park.”

The Jerusalem Archaeological Park is one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel. Due to its archaeological, historical, and cultural importance, hundreds of thousands of people visit the park each year. The Society for the Development of the Jewish Quarter leads the visitor experiences in the Old City, including the area of the Southern Wall, Davidson Center, and Jerusalem Archaeological Park.

Herzl Ben Ari, CEO of the Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter added, “Today, after years of work, we are proud to reopen the Davidson Center in the Jerusalem Archaeological Park. Thanks to all the partners in this endeavor, the Center tells the moving story of Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, and remembrance of the Temple, using first-rate and innovative techniques and technologies. It is a testament to the vision of Mr. Davidson, and an exciting new chapter for a site where Jews have come to and longed for, for generations.”

Jerusalem Archaeological Park was established in 1995 through the support of Detroit businessman and philanthropist, William “Bill” Davidson (1922-2009), who had an appreciation for archaeology and believed deeply in preserving the history of the Jewish people. Building on his transformational contribution to the park, Mr. Davidson established the Davidson Center, which first opened in 2001, and quickly became one of Jerusalem’s most innovative and technologically advanced tourist attractions.

Rare Gold Bead more than 1,600 Years old Discovered in Jerusalem's City of David

A rare gold bead from the end of the Roman era was uncovered within the Israel Antiquities Authority excavation of the Pilgrimage Road in the City of David, part of the Jerusalem Walls National Park. The gold bead, which a volunteer discovered, is handmade in a delicate and complicated process.

A unique bead made from pure gold and dated to at least 1,600 years ago was uncovered at the sifting project at the Archaeological Experience in the Emek Tzurim National Park. The bead was found in dirt removed from a magnificent Roman structure discovered in the Pilgrimage Road Excavation. It was created using a unique technique that required delicate craft to affix tens of tiny balls together in the shape of a ring to make one small bead.

Hallel Feidman, age 18, from Bnei Ayish, is the volunteer who found the gold bead. She is a National Service volunteer who is working on the sifting project. "I poured the pail onto the sieve and began to wash the material that was brought from the excavations in the City of David, " Feidman says as she describes the moment she made the discovery. "And then I saw something shiny in the corner of the sieve, different, that I don't usually see. I immediately approached the archaeologist, and he confirmed that I had found a gold bead. Everyone here was very excited. "

According to Dr. Amir Golani, an ancient jewelry expert at the Israel Antiquities Authority: "Throughout all my years in archaeology, I have found gold perhaps once or twice, so to

find gold jewelry is very, very special." He points out that the bead, which survived unscathed, is probably only a tiny part of a necklace or bracelet that included additional beads. "Whoever could afford a piece like this made from gold was an affluent person with means." 

According to Shlomo Greenberg and Ari Levy, Excavation Directors on behalf of the Israel Antiques Authority, "The bead originated in a magnificent structure which is at least 25 meters long. The structure was built on Pilgrimage Road in the City of David in a style that characterizes upscale buildings. The wealth of the building's occupants is evidenced by additional finds that were discovered in it, like imported clay vessels and a decorated mosaic floor."

The researchers point out that it is possible that the bead was created in a period that precedes the period of the structure in which it was found. However, it is reasonable to assume that the people that lived in the structure used the bead, which may have accidentally been lost when the necklace broke.

The find holds distinctive importance due to the lack of gold items in archaeological excavations and because beads of this style are not common due to the unique and complex technique used to create them. The method most probably originates from Mesopotamia, which was known from approximately 4500 years ago.

"The most interesting aspect of the bead is its unique and complex production method," explains Dr. Golani. "A good understanding of the materials and their properties are required, as well as control over the heat. On the one hand, solder the tiny balls together to create a tiny ring while also preventing overheating, which may lead all the gold to melt." He says, "Only a professional craftsman could produce such a bead, which is another reason this find holds great value."

The unique technique, which came from outside of Israel, coupled with the use of gold in creating this bead, speaks to the wealth of its owner. It is possible that the bead was created in a different area and made its way to the City of David due to the extensive trade relations between Jerusalem and other regions at that time. Another theory is that the bead was gifted to a Jerusalem resident, or, possibly due to its unique nature, it was passed within the family from one generation to another as an inheritance.

Similar beads have been discovered in burial caves from 2500 years ago (end of the First Temple period) in Ketef Hinnom near the City of David during excavations carried out by Professor Gabriel Barkay. Still, even those beads were made from silver. To this day, only a few dozen gold beads have been found in Israel.

According to Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "Although it is a small find, it is precisely the personal, day-to-day items that manage to touch and connect us, more than anything else, directly to a certain person. Even with today's advanced technology, creating something like this would be very complex. A close examination of this object fills one with a deep sense of admiration for the technical skill and ability of those who came before us many centuries ago. " the Emek Tzurim National Park operates all year long and, over the years has uncovered numerous finds from different periods in Jerusalem's history, including rare jewelry and coins, and pottery fragments.

Mysterious hand imprint uncovered next to the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem

The new elements of the Jerusalem Old City fortification system were discovered in the Israel Antiquities Authority excavations in Sultan Suleiman street in the course of infrastructure works carried out by the Moriah - The Jerusalem Development Corporation

Elements of ancient Jerusalem’s fortifications and a mysterious hand imprint carved in the rock were uncovered at the Israel Antiquities Authority excavations in Jerusalem. The archaeological excavations were carried out along the main Sultan Suleiman Street that runs adjacent to the city walls before infrastructure works by Moriah - The Jerusalem Development Corporation. During the excavations, part of a deep defensive moat that surrounded the city walls, probably dating from the tenth century CE and possibly earlier, was exposed. An unexplained carved hand imprint was discovered at one spot carved in the moat wall. 

Zubair Adawi, Israel Antiquities Authority excavation director, uncovered the moat underneath the street. According to Adawi, “People are unaware that this busy street is built directly over a huge moat, an enormous rock-hewn channel, at least 10 m wide, and between 2–7 m deep. The moat surrounding the entire Old City dates back about 1,000 years to the 10th century CE or earlier. Its function was to prevent the enemy besieging Jerusalem from approaching the walls and breaking into the city. Moats, usually filled with water, are well-known from fortifications and castles in Europe, but here the moat was dry, its width and depth presenting an obstacle slowing down the attacking army.”

The impressive walls and gates of the Old City visible today were built in the sixteenth century by the Turkish Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I, the Magnificent. “The earlier fortification walls that surrounded the ancient city of Jerusalem were much stronger,” says Dr. Amit Re’em, Jerusalem regional Director at the Israel Antiquities Authority. “In the eras of knights’ battles, swords, arrows, and charging cavalry, the fortifications of Jerusalem were formidable and complex, comprising walls and elements to hold off large armies storming the city.”

Re’em says, “Armies trying to capture the city in the Middle Ages had to cross the deep moat, and behind it, two additional thick fortification walls, while the defenders of the city on the walls rained down on them fire and sulfur. As if this wasn’t enough, there were secret tunnels in the fortifications, some of them uncovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists in previous excavations, whereby the city defenders could emerge into the moat and attack the enemy by surprise, and then disappear back into the city.”

“The historians who accompanied the First Crusade describe the arrival of the Crusaders at the walls of Jerusalem in June 1099. Exhausted by the journey, they stood opposite the huge moat, and only after five weeks succeeded in crossing it with deploying tactics and at the cost of much blood, under heavy fire from the Muslim and Jewish defenders.”

A mysterious hand imprint was carved in the moat wall during the excavation. To date, archaeologists have not deciphered the meaning of this carving. “Does it symbolize something? Does it point to a specific nearby element? Or is it just a local prank? Time may tell,” say the researchers.

According to Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority: “Many dreamed about and fought for Jerusalem, and the city fortifications are a silent testimony. The archaeological finds enable us to visualize the dramatic events and the upheavals that the city underwent. One can imagine the tumult and almost smell the battle smoke. We are daily unraveling the intensive military history of the city, and we will make great efforts to exhibit the finds to the general public.” 

8 more than 4,000-year-old ostrich eggs uncovered in the Negev dunes

The large eggs were discovered next to an ancient fire pit in an Israel Antiquities Authority excavation, initiated by the JNF and the Ramat Negev Regional Council, undertaken before the development of an agricultural area for Moshav Be’er Milka

Lauren Davis, the Israel Antiquities Authority excavation director, said, “This is a significant find that—with the help of modern scientific methods—can teach us a lot about the nomadic people of the desert in ancient times.”

Eight more than 4,000-year-old ostrich eggs were uncovered near an ancient fire pit in the Nitzana dunes in the Negev. This rare find, preliminarily dated between 4,000 and 7,500 years ago, was discovered in an Israel Antiquities Authority archaeological excavation in the agricultural fields of Be’er Milka. The Israel Antiquities Authority carried out the excavation, initiated by the Jewish National Fund and the Ramat Negev Regional Council plans to prepare new agricultural land for Be’er Milka.

“We found a campsite, which extends over 200 square meters. The desert nomads used that since prehistoric times”, says Lauren Davis, the Israel Antiquities Authority excavation director. “At the site, we found burnt stones, flint, and stone tools as well as pottery sherds, but the exceptional find is this collection of ostrich eggs. Although the nomads did not build permanent structures at this site, the finds allow us to feel their presence in the desert. These campsites were quickly covered by the dunes and re-exposed to the sand movement for hundreds of years. This fact explains the exceptional preservation of the eggs, allowing us a glimpse into the lives of the nomads who roamed the desert in ancient times.”

Ostriches were common in the area from the early prehistoric periods until they became extinct in the wild in the 19th century. Their eggs have been found in archaeological sites for several periods, reflecting the importance of ostrich eggs as a raw material.

“We find ostrich eggs in archaeological sites in funerary contexts and as luxury items and water canteens. Naturally, they were used as a source of food: one ostrich egg has the nutritional value of about 25 normal chicken eggs,” says Dr. Amir Gorzalczany from the Israel Antiquities Authority, who has researched the subject. “There is sometimes even evidence of decorating and incising on ostrich eggs, showing their use as decorative items. It is interesting that while ostrich eggs are not uncommon in excavations, the bones of the large bird are not found. This may indicate that people avoided tackling the ostrich in the ancient world and were content with collecting their eggs.”

“The proximity of the group of eggs to the fire pit indicates that this is not a natural chance find but the intentional collecting of the eggs,” says Davis. “One of the eggs was found directly in the fire pit, strengthening the understanding that they were used as the food here. The ostrich eggs were crushed but well-preserved, although they were uncovered in the surface layer.”

Davis adds that post-excavation scientific examination will add information regarding the exact age of the site. “After the excavation, we will reconstruct the eggs, just like a puzzle. The whole egg may tell us the species and what they were used for. Every eggshell is worth its weight in gold. I am looking forward to the research in the labs. The best is yet ahead.”

Eli Escuzido, Director-General of the Israel Antiquities Authority, says: “The collection of ostrich eggs from Be’er Milka is a rare and fascinating find. It seems that the eggs survived as the dunes covered them over for so long and due to the relatively dry climate of the area. The finds will go directly from the excavation to the new analytical laboratory in the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel, where they will undergo further observation and research.”

A 2000-year-old family tomb—one of the most elaborate in Israel—was uncovered in the Salome Cave in the Judean Shefelah

The cave forecourt was excavated as part of the Judean Kings’ Trail Project, led by the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Ministry for Jerusalem and Heritage, and the Jewish National Fund * Evidence for centuries-long veneration of the site was uncovered indicating that an esteemed person from a prominent Second Temple-period family was considered to have been buried here 

 A 2000-year-old Second Temple-Period burial cave designated the Salome Cave—one of the most impressive burial caves discovered in Israel—is being uncovered in the Lachish Forest. The excavation was carried out as part of the Judean Kings’ Trail Project led by the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Ministry for Jerusalem and Heritage, and the Jewish National Fund.

The burial cave continued in use in the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, becoming known as the Salome Cave due to a popular tradition that identified it as the burial place of Salome, the midwife of Jesus. The excavation of the courtyard uncovered a row of shop stalls that, according to the excavators, sold or rented clay lamps. “In the shop, we found hundreds of complete and broken lamps dating from the 8th–9th centuries CE,” said Nir Shimshon-Paran and Zvi Firer, excavation directors in the Israel Antiquities Authority Southern Region. “The lamps may have served to light up the cave, or as part of the religious ceremonies, similarly to candles distributed today at the graves of righteous figures and in churches.”

The burial cave in the Lachish Forest was first exposed 40 years ago by antiquity looters who broke into the cave, following which Prof. Amos Kloner of the Antiquities Department carried out an archaeological excavation. The cave comprised several chambers with multiple rock-hewn kokhim (burial niches) and broken ossuaries (stone boxes), attesting to the Jewish burial custom. The Jewish tradition of secondary burial in stone ossuaries is well-known in the archaeological record, but the surprise was the adaptation of the cave into a Christian chapel. Judging by the crosses and the dozens of inscriptions engraved on the cave walls in the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, the chapel was dedicated to the sacred Salome.

“Salome (or in Hebrew: Shalom or Shlomit) was a common Jewish name in the Second Temple period and was also known in the Hasmonean and Herodian families,” say Paran and Firer. “According to a Christian tradition, Salome was the midwife from Bethlehem who was called to participate in the birth of Jesus. She could not believe that she was asked to deliver a virgin’s baby, and her hand became dry and was only healed when she held the baby’s cradle.”

The cave was excavated many years ago, and now the Israel Antiquities Authority is exposing the elaborate cave forecourt. The court, extending over 350 sq. m, is surrounded by ashlar stone walls and has stone slabs and mosaic floors. The entrances leading into the cave and the interior chapel were exposed, some of the stones carved with delicate decorative vegetal designs, including rosettes, pomegranates, and acanthus vases, characteristic Jewish features. The forecourt and the cave attest that the tomb belonged to a wealthy Jewish family who invested much effort into preparing the cave. It is noteworthy that the court leading into burial caves was usually hewn out of the rock and not elaborately built of ashlar masonry as this forecourt.

The veneration of Salome and the use of the forecourt and the cave continued down to the ninth century CE, after the Muslim conquest. Interestingly, some inscriptions were in Arabic, while the Christian believers continued to pray at the site.

“Salome is a mysterious figure,” say the researchers. “The family tomb attests that its owners were a family of high status in the Judean Shefelah in the Second Temple period. The cult of Salome, sanctified in Christianity, belongs to a broader phenomenon whereby the fifth-century CE Christian pilgrims encountered and sanctified Jewish sites. The name Salome may have appeared in antiquity on one of the (no-longer extant) ossuaries in the tomb, and the tradition identifying the site with Salome the midwife developed, the cave becoming venerated by Christianity.”

According to Saar Ganor, the Israel Antiquities Authority Director of the Judean Kings’ Trail Project: “Once the restoration and development works are completed, the forecourt and the cave will be opened to the public, as part of Judean Kings’ Trail Project in cooperation with the Jewish National Fund and the Ministry for Jerusalem and Heritage. This trail, which crosses the Judean Shefelah, is the backbone of the Jewish people’s cultural heritage. It encompasses dozens of sites from the time of the Bible, the Second Temple, the Mishnah, and the Talmud. In the excavations along the Judean Kings’ Trail, the Israel Antiquities Authority is creating a meaningful deep-rooted connection between archaeology and cultural heritage for the general public.

Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority: “The Judean Kings’ Trail Project initiative is the result of effective cooperation with the Ministry for Jerusalem and Cultural Heritage and the Jewish National Fund, intending to enhance archaeology and the development of cultural heritage sites for the benefit of the general public. The excavation of the Salome Cave is the result of productive cooperation with the Ministry for Jerusalem and Heritage and the Jewish National Fund, aiming to enhance archaeology and develop heritage sites for the general public. The Israel Antiquities Authority is developing sites and making heritage trails accessible as part of our understanding that archaeological sites in non-built-up areas are an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape. Many of these trails are located in the Israel Antiquity Authority Southern Region, such as the Judean Kings’ Trail, Incense Trade Route, and Knights Route. We aim to continue developing new ways and initiatives to strengthen the bond between the public and the heritage and cultural landscape in the coming years.”

Victor Halfon, Director of the Jewish National Fund Lachish Region: “Salome’s Cave is one of the many sites in the Jewish National Fund Lachish Forest and along the Judean Kings’ Trail. The Jewish National Fund supports the development of cultural heritage sites in forest areas to attract the general public to open spaces. The cooperation over the last few years has led to the development of several exciting sites. After the excavations, Salome’s Cave will be a new focus of interest accessible to visitors.

First evidence for the Maccabean Revolt against the Greek Seleucid Kingdom in the Judean Desert

A rare wooden box containing a small hoard of 15 silver coins dating to the reign of Antiochos IV was discovered in an excavation in the Darageh Stream Nature Reserve, overlooking the Dead Sea

*A refugee probably hid the wooden box in the cave, intending to return to collect his money after the Revolt * The Israel Antiquities Authority, the Ministry for Jerusalem and Heritage, and the Archaeology Staff Officer of the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria, invite the public to take part in December in this special archaeological expedition in the Judean Desert, focused on discovering additional finds * The coins will be exhibited to the public in the Hasmonean Museum in Modi'in, as part of the "Israel Heritage Week" that will take place on Hannukah

Evidence for a dramatic moment in the history of the Jewish people has been uncovered in the Judean Desert: A rare wooden box containing a small hoard of 15 silver coins, dated to the days leading up to the Maccabean Revolt. The box was hidden in Muraba'at Cave in the Darageh Stream Nature Reserve about 2,200 years ago, and it was discovered in excavations carried out there last May. The coin hoard has since been researched. It will be exhibited to the public over Hannukah in the Hasmonean Museum in Modi'in, in the context of Israel Heritage Week, which takes place during Hannukah.

The rescue excavation was carried out in Muraba'at Cave in March–May 2022 in the framework of the Judean Desert Excavation and Survey Project run by the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Archaeological Office for the Military Administration of Judea and Samaria, in cooperation with the Ministry for Jerusalem and Heritage. Among the many finds, the unique lathe-turned wooden box was discovered in a crack in the cave.

When the lid was removed, it turned out that the upper part of the box was full of packed earth and small stones. Below this earth layer, a large piece of purple woolen cloth was found, covering the 15 silver coins that were arranged with pieces of sheep's wool in the lower part of the box.

The coin hoard, cleaned in the Israel Antiquities Authority metal finds laboratory, comprised a homogeneous group of silver tetradrachma coins minted by Ptolemy VI, King of Egypt. Ptolemy VI reigned over Egypt at the same time as his uncle Antiochos IV Epiphanes ("the Wicked") reigned over the Seleucid Kingdom, including Judea. The earliest coins in the hoard were minted in 176/5 BCE, and the latest was dated 171/0 BCE. The name "Shalmai" in Aramaic script was secondarily incised on one of the coins.

Based on the date of the latest coin in the hoard in 170 BCE, the year when the cache was hidden can be fixed to the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt and the war declared against Antiochos Epiphanes IV decrees against the Jewish religion or the events that led up to the Revolt.

According to Dr. Eitan Klein, who studied the coins with Dr. Gabriela Bijovsky, Israel Antiquities Authority numismatic expert, "It is interesting to try to visualize the person who fled to the cave and hid his personal property here intending to return to collect it. The person was probably killed in the battles, and he did not return to collect his possessions, which awaited almost 2,200 years until we retrieved them. This unique find presented the first clear archaeological evidence that the Judean Desert caves played an active role as the stage of the activities of the Jewish rebels or the fugitives in the early days of the Maccabean Revolt or the events that led up to them.

According to Dr. Klein, the Books of the Maccabees describe the dramatic events of the times that would have led people to hide their possessions in the Judean Desert until the danger passed. One explanation could be the plundering of the Jerusalem Temple treasures by Antiochos IV and the destruction of the Jerusalem city wall in the years that led up to the Hasmonean Revolt. Another explanation could be the religious decrees imposed on the Jews in 167 BCE. The First Book of Maccabees records that groups of Jews fled to hiding places in the desert due to the decrees imposed on the Jews: "Then many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to dwell there: they, their sons, their wives, and their cattle because evils pressed heavily upon them. And it was reported to the king's officers and the troops in Jerusalem in the city of David that men who had rejected the king's command had gone down to hiding places in the wilderness. Many pursued and overtook them; they encamped opposite them and prepared for battle against them on the sabbath day…. and they died, with their wives and children and cattle, about a thousand persons." (I Maccabees 2:29–37).

Amir Ganor, Director of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority: "The Survey and Excavation Project carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the Judean Desert over the past six years has proved itself, in that thousands of archaeological artifacts have been saved from destruction and plundering, including parts of biblical scrolls, arrowheads from the Bar Kochba Revolt, a 10,500-year-old basket, and more."  

According to the Minister of Construction and Housing, Jerusalem and Heritage, Zeev Elkin: "This moving find, coming just before the festival of Hannukah, is symbolic, emphasizing once again the importance of our activity in the field of heritage. Over the recent years, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, which I am responsible for, has invested millions of shekels in the Judean Desert Survey, together with the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Archaeology Staff Officer of the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria, we have taken steps to save and preserve many heritage sites in the Judean Desert and Judea and Samaria, and  I commend all the participants in this important task. During Heritage Week, which will take place on Hannukah, dozens of sites will b open to the public with special activities for families and children, including the possibility of seeing the discovery in the Hasmonean Museum in Modi'in, and I invite all Israel to visit and enjoy the national heritage."

Eli Escusido, Director General of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The coin hoard that will be exhibited to the public in the framework of the Israel Heritage Week events fires the imagination and connects us with "those days in this season." This is the Hannukah' gelt' (money) that the Israel Antiquities Authority is donating to the people and the State of Israel. I invite the public to participate in the excavations in the Wadi Muraba'at cave in December. We consider that the shelter has not yet said its final word!"

According to Hananya Hizmi, the Archaeology Staff Officer of the Civil Administration, "The historical discovery of the coins dating to the time of Antiochos IV represents another step in the extensive activity of the Archaeology Staff Officer of the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria Unit. We work tirelessly to preserve all the archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria, and we will not cease to look for and excavate historical discoveries such as this."

Discovery of a rare lead sling bullet bearing a magic inscription for victory

During excavations of the Israel Antiquities Authority in Yavne, a rare lead sling bullet was discovered - possibly belonging to a Greek soldier, bearing a magic inscription for victory

On the sling bullet was the Greek inscription “Victory of Heracles and Hauronas”

The inscriptions were part of psychological warfare, the main purpose of which was to terrorize the opponent, and in addition, to unite the warriors and raise their spirits,” says Prof. Yulia Ustinova of Ben Gurion University of the Negev.

Was the projectile used for warfare against the Hasmoneans?

New research has revealed a lead sling bullet from the Hellenistic period, a rare of its kind in Israel, with an inscription in Greek intended to ensure victory in battle. The 2,200-year-old sling bullet, which bears the inscription - “Victory of Heracles and Hauronas,” was uncovered in excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in Yavne as part of the Israel Lands Authority’s initiative to expand the city, in cooperation with the Yavne Municipality. The length of the sling bullet is 4.4 cm, and it was intended to be used in an early sling.

“The pair of gods Hauron and Heracles were considered the divine patrons of Yavne during the Hellenistic period,” says Prof. Yulia Ustinova from Ben Gurion University of the Negev, who deciphered the inscription. “The inscription on a sling bullet is the first archaeological evidence of the two guardians of Yavne, discovered inside Yavne itself. Until today, the pair was only known from an inscription on the Greek island of Delos.”

As a couple, the gods Heracles and Hauron were a perfect team of victory-givers. “The announcement of the future victory of Heracles and Hauron was not a call addressed to the deity, but a threat directed towards the adversaries,” says Prof. Ustinova. “Lead sling bullets are known in the ancient world beginning in the 5th century BCE, but in Israel, few individual sling bullets were found with inscriptions. The inscriptions convey a message of unifying the warriors to raise their spirits, scare the enemy, or a call intended to energize the sling bullet itself magically. These inscriptions were part of psychological warfare, the main

Purpose of which is to terrorize the opponent, and in addition, to unite the warriors and raise their spirits.”

It seems that we will not be able to know for sure if the sling bullet belonged to a Greek soldier,” said Pablo Betzer and Dr. Daniel Varga, the directors of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “but it may be related to the conflict between the Greeks and the Hasmoneans. In the 2nd century BCE, pagan Yavne - an ally of the Seleucids (the Greeks who ruled Eretz-Israel), were subject to attacks by the Hasmonean armies. The Hasmoneans sought to subjugate the other nations and create a homogeneous and ‘pure state’ from a religious-ritualistic point of view. The tiny lead sling bullets, announcing the imminent victory of the gods of pagan Yavne, are tangible evidence of a fierce battle in Yavne at that time.

“One can only imagine what that warrior who held the sling bullet 2,200 years ago thought and felt as he held on to the hope of divine salvation,” says Eli Escusido, Director-General of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The Yavne excavation is a ‘mega’ excavation - one of the largest conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, has yielded fascinating discoveries that testify to a rich and varied history of 7,000 years, and we eagerly await future findings.”

Scarab from over 3000 years ago discovered during an archaeological tour in Azor

 “At first, I thought it was a toy lying in the dirt, but an inner voice said to me: ‘Pick it up and turn it over!’ I was astonished! It was a scarab seal with an inscribed scene—every archaeology lover’s dream!” said Gilad Stern of the Israel Antiquity Authority Educational Center, who led the tour.

An ancient 3000-year-old scarab was a surprise discovery in a school field tour in Azor, located about 7 kilometers southeast of Tel Aviv, Israel. The scene depicted on the scarab probably represents the bestowing of legitimacy on a local ruler.

"We were wandering around when I saw something that looked like a small toy on the ground,” said Gilad Stern of the Israel Antiquity Authority Educational Center, who was leading the tour. "An inner voice said to me: 'Pick it up and turn it over.' I was astonished: it was a scarab with an incised scene, the dream of every amateur archaeologist. The pupils were excited!"

The tour of the eighth-grade pupils from the Rabin Middle School took place in the context of a Tour-Guide Course organized by the Israel Antiquity Authority for the third year. The course enables the pupils to teach the local Azor residents about their local archaeological heritage.

The scarab was designed in the shape of the common dung beetle. The ancient Egyptians saw the act of the little beetle, which rolls a ball of dung twice its size where it stows its future offspring, as the embodiment of creation and regeneration - similar to the act of the Creator God.

According to Dr. Amir Golani, Israel Antiquities Authority specialist of the Bronze Age period, "The scarab was used as a seal and symbol of power and status. It may have been placed on a necklace or a ring. It is made of faience, a silicate material coated with a bluish-green glaze. It may have dropped from the hands of an important figure of authority who passed through the area, or it may have been deliberately buried in the ground, and other objects came to the surface after thousands of years. It's difficult to determine the exact original context."In the lower, flat part of the scarab seal, a figure is depicted sitting on a chair, and in front of it is a standing figure whose arm is raised above that of the seated person. The standing figure has an elongated head, representing the crown of an Egyptian pharaoh. It is possible that we can see here a snapshot of a scene wherein the Egyptian Pharaoh is conferring authority to a local Canaanite subject. "This scene basically reflects the geopolitical reality that prevailed in the land of Canaan during the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1500-1000 BCE), when the local Canaanite rulers lived (and sometimes rebelled) under Egyptian political and cultural hegemony," says Dr. Golani. "Therefore, it is possible that the seal was indeed from the Late Bronze Age when the Egyptian EmpireEgyptian EmpireEgyptian Empire ruled the local Canaanites.

Scarab seals are distinctly Egyptian, but their wide distribution also reached far outside the borders of Egypt. Hundreds of scarabs were discovered in the Land of Israel, mainly in graves and settlement layers. Some were imported from Egypt, and many more were imitated in Israel by local artisans under Egyptian influence. The quality of the particular scarab found now is not typical for Egypt and may represent a product of local craftsmen.

The close cooperation between the Israel Antiquity Authority and the Azor Municipality and its education department and schools led to the recent opening of an impressive local museum exhibiting the archaeological story of Azor.

According to Eli Escusido, Director General of the Israel Antiquity Authority, "The find of the scarab in the framework of a field tour with pupils participating in the Tour-Guide course, is symbolic, in that the pupils were gaining archaeological knowledge, and at the same time contributing to our archaeological heritage. This cooperation is truly moving, as we are working towards connecting communities with their cultural heritage."