A group of archaeologists from the University of Haifa, led by Shay Bar of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, made an extraordinary archaeological discovery when they found 160 extremely rare coins during an excavation in the Jordan Valley near the Alexandrion Fortress, north of Jericho.
Experts have dated the pieces to the Hasmonean period (80/79 BC). They were found at an ancient way station located on a main route that connected to the fortress, also known as Sarbata.
The coins were identified as belonging to the reign of King Alexander Jannaeus, grandson of Simon the Hasmonean and great-nephew of Judah Maccabeus, leader of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire.
According to Bar, “We knew from the very first moment that this was a special find.” He added that “the temporal precision that these coins provide us, combined with the other discoveries, is invaluable.”
Yoav Farhi, another member of the team, added that the discovery takes place in a context of special cultural significance, given that Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.