A month after the discovery of the largest cache of ancient coins ever hauled from the Mediterranean, spelunkers have unearthed another treasure trove of rare coins, silver and bronze objects in a cave in northern Israel.
Three members of the Israeli Caving Club, Reuven Zakai, Chen Zakai and a
Lior Haloney recently lowered themselves into a well-hidden stalactite
cave, wriggled through a narrow passageway and happened upon the shiny
objects.
A handful of coins, rings, bracelets and earrings were all discovered
together inside a cloth pouch dating back some 2,300 years ago.
Archaeologists say the coins were likely minted during the reign of
Alexander the Great, and the artifacts first date to the Chalcolithic
period about 6,000 years ago; from the Early Bronze Age roughly 5,000
years ago, the Biblical period 3,000 years ago and the Hellenistic
period approximately 2,300 years ago.
“The valuables might have been hidden in the cave by local residents who
fled there during the period of governmental unrest stemming from the
death of Alexander, a time when the Wars of the Diadochi broke out in
Israel between Alexander’s heirs following his death,” according to
archaeologists at the Israel Antiquities Authority. "Presumably the
cache was hidden in the hope of better days, but today we know that
whoever buried the treasure never returned to collect it."
Working off this discovery, archaeologists and geologists will be able
to accurately date both the archaeological finds and the process of
stalactite development, according to the Authority’s statement.
Amir Ganor, director of the Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities
Robbery in the Israel Antiquities Authority, thanked the cavers for
their “exemplary civic behavior," praising the "citizens' awareness."
Following last month’s discovery by civilian scuba divers, Ganor
welcomes this "important trend."
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