Included in the 2,300-year-old cache were two coins of Alexander of Macedon, three rings, four bracelets, two decorated earrings, three other earrings and a small stone weight. Posted on 03/10/2015 6:20:38 AM PDT by Red Badger
A rare cache of jewelry and silver coins, minted during the reign of Alexander the Great, has been discovered in a stalactite filled cave in northern Israel, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced on Monday.
The 2,300-year-old treasure was found by three members of the Israeli Caving Club who wriggled through a narrow passage at the entrance of the stalactite cave and wandered inside for several hours.
Stashed inside a niche, one of the spelunkers, Hen Zakai, spotted two ancient silver coins.
On one side of the coins was an image of Alexander the Great, while the other side portrayed an arm raised Zeus sitting on his throne.
The archaeologsts believe the coins had been minted in the late fourth century B.C. at beginning of the Hellenistic Period during the reign of Alexander the Great.
Alongside the coins, the spelunkers found the remains of a cloth pouch with three rings, four bracelets, two decorated earrings, three other earrings, probably made of silver, a small stone weight, and a clay oil lamp.
Dating from the Hellenistic period, the lamp contained some agate stones that were part of a string of beads.
“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,” the IAA said in a statement.
At that time, the Wars of the Diadochi broke out in Israel between Alexander the Great’s successors who fought for the control of the king’s empire after his death in 323 B.C.
“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,” the IAA said.
As archaeologists of the Israel Antiquities Authority this week-end entered the cave, they discovered evidence of human habitation that occurred there over extended periods, from the Chalcolithic period 6,000 years ago to the Hellenistic period approximately 2,300 years ago.
Numerous pottery vessels were discovered in the cave and some even merged with the limestone sediments.
“The finds in the cave will allow the researchers –- archaeologists and geologists alike –- to accurately date both the archaeological finds and the process of stalactite development,” the IAA said.
The treasure trove, which promises to shed light on the lives of ordinary people in Israel during the late 4th century BC, follows another significant finding. Last month amateur scuba divers stumbled across a trove of nearly 2,000 gold coins that sat on the bottom of the Roman-era port of Caesareafor about 1,000 years.
“After the gold treasure from Caesarea, this is the second time in the past month that citizens have reported significant archeological finds and we welcome this important trend,” Amir Ganor, director of the Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery in the Israel Antiquities Authority, said.
“Thanks to these citizens’ awareness, researchers at the Israel Antiquities Authority will be able to expand the existing archaeological knowledge about the development of society and culture in the Land of Israel in antiquity,” he added.
Included in the 2,300-year-old cache were two coins of Alexander of Macedon, three rings, four bracelets, two decorated earrings, three other earrings and a small stone weight.
Alongside the coins, the spelunkers found a small treasure trove: two coins of Alexander of Macedon, three rings, four bracelets, two decorated earrings, three other earrings, probably made of silver, and a small stone weight. Largest Trove of Gold Coins Found off Israel
A clay oil lamp was also unearthed as part of the cache. Dating from the Hellenistic period, the lamp contained some agate stones that were part of a string of beads. Skeletons in 6,000-Year-Old Embrace Found in Cave
Nested in the clay oil lamp, the agate stones are extremely well preserved, as if they were brand new. Speculation Rages About Dead in Greek Mystery Tomb
Some objects even merged with the stalactites. This silver ring contains an accumulation of crystal that was apparently formed inside the stalactite cave. Greek Tomb Held at Least Five Corpses
Stashed inside a niche, one of the spelunkers first spotted two ancient silver coins. On one side of the coins was an image of Alexander the Great, while the other side portrayed Zeus sitting on his throne. The archaeologists believe the coins had been minted in the late fourth century BC at beginning of the Hellenistic Period during the reign of Alexander the Great. PHOTOS: Excavating a Celtic Prince's Tomb
Shmuel Magal/Israel Antiquities Authority
PinGGG!...........................
Amazing that there is anywhere in that part of the world that hasn’t already been picked over thoroughly.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/09/middleeast/israel-ancient-treasure-found-in-cave/index.html
[snip] Even older objects found
The cavers reported their discovery to the antiquities authority, which sent officials to examine the site over the weekend.
That expedition found objects from even more ancient periods.
“At this point they believe they have found artifacts in the cave that first date to the Chalcolithic period c. 6,000 years ago; from the Early Bronze Age c. 5,000 years ago, the Biblical period 3,000 years ago and the Hellenistic period approximately 2,300 years ago,” the authority said in a statement.
Thanks Red Badger.
Thanks Red Badger. Whoops.
Not for lack of trying, that's for sure.
I was thinking the same thing. So, for 2300 years NOBODY went into that cave, or at least to the back side..................
Seems like every major find is a an accident. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found by a shepherd boy looking for his goats............
This is fascinating. Thanks for the post!
I am curious as to the reason for the ‘small stone weight’ if that is what it is. May have been a pendant with personal value, nothing more...............
with interest rates at 0 and no mattress, the assets were hidden in a cave
May also have been a ‘stolen’ treasure for later retrieval after the ‘heat’ died down, but for some reason they never got around to doing it............
Gobekli Tepe was found the same way. Probably the two biggest finds of the 20th Century. Imagine what's out there that we haven't found.
Somewhere, in Israel, there is a clay pot buried with Jeremiah’s deed, perfectly preserved.
When it is found, all hell will break loose.................
I’ve heard that the official policy of the Israeli government is that all these old treasures belong to the State and the finders are not compensated.
That surely leads to some finds being kept hidden and sold on the black market, destroying possible important archeological information.
England has a much better system that rewards amateur finders for the value of their discovery while putting the relics into full archeological review and display.
Who owns the treasure and if the government confiscates it is there a reward?
According to one poster here, the treasures belong to the State and no reward is given..................
Thanks for the answer and America’s is even better.
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