Photo: The hidden treasure (Sharon Gal, Israel Antiquities Authority; courtesy Travelujah)
The dream of every young boy, and not a few young girls, is to hunt down and discover a buried treasure. Archeologists in Israel had the opportunity to realize that dream recently during a dig near the central town of Kiryat Gat.
During a routine dig at the Kiryat Gat industrial park (all major construction in Israel must be preceded by a full archaeological survey), archaeologists found the remains of several large dwellings and courtyards, not an uncommon occurrence. But before refilling the survey pit, the researchers did find something very unique -- a hoard of hidden treasure.
Specifically, archeologists uncovered 140 gold and silver coins and a considerable amount of gold jewelry. Researchers believe the treasure was hidden by a wealthy Jewish woman during the time of the Bar Kokhba Revolt against Roman rule. The revolt ended in the destruction and exile of the Jewish community in Holy Land.
Photo: Ancient gold ring (Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority; courtesy Travelujah)
"This is probably an emergency cache that was concealed at the time of impending danger by a wealthy woman who wrapped her jewelry and money in a cloth and hid them deep in the ground prior to or during the Bar Kokhba Revolt. It is now clear that the owner of the hoard never returned to claim it," said Sa'ar Ganor, chief archeologist for the Ashkelon and Western Negev region.
The treasure has been transferred to a treatment facility in Jerusalem and is expected to go on display at one of Israel's historical museums in the future.
Ryan Jones writes regularly for Travelujah, the leading Christian social network focused on travel to the Holy Land. People can learn, plan and share their Holy Land tour and travel experience on Travelujah.
Publication date: June 5, 2012
