Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable find in the Jordan Valley—160 coins dating back to the first century B.C., hidden within the walls of an ancient structure. This discovery provides fascinating insights into how people stored their wealth 2,000 years ago, long before the convenience of modern safes or banks.
The coins were found at the Ruim es-Sia archaeological site, located near a riverbank and close to the ancient Hasmonean fortress of Sartaba. According to Shay Bar, an archaeologist at the University of Haifa, the site may have served as a key road station for travelers during the Hasmonean period. “The site that the cache was discovered at is probably a road station that was not recognized in the research so far,” Bar said in a statement.
The Hasmonean Connection
The Jordan Valley was once under Hasmonean rule, a dynasty that rose to power after a successful revolt against the Seleucid Empire. King Alexander Jannaeus, one of the most prominent Hasmonean rulers, is prominently featured on the discovered coins. Each coin bears his name in both Aramaic and Greek, alongside an eight-pointed star on the reverse side. Based on the inscriptions, these coins were minted in the 25th year of Jannaeus’ reign, around 80 to 79 B.C.
The Hasmonean dynasty’s rule came to an end in the first century B.C. when Roman forces, led by King Herod, consolidated control over the region. Despite the historical prevalence of these coins, finding a cache of this size is rare. According to Yoav Ferry of the Eretz Israel Museum, “The coins themselves are fairly common, but their sheer number in one place is extraordinary.”
Why Were the Coins Hidden?
The purpose of this cache remains unclear. Some researchers speculate the coins were hidden for safekeeping, while others suggest they might have been part of a ritual offering during a building’s construction. Another possibility is that the site was a trading hub, and the coins may have been associated with commercial activities. The coins were found in what is believed to have been a food preparation area, adding another layer of intrigue to their story.
Bar emphasized the significance of the discovery, noting that it represents one of the largest Hasmonean coin collections ever unearthed in Israel. “All students and excavators volunteering in the excavation were very excited to find such a Hasmonean cache,” he said.
Experts explain that this discovery sheds light on ancient commerce and daily life in the Jordan Valley and provides a tangible connection to the region’s tumultuous history under the Hasmonean and Roman empires.
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