Archaeologists have excavated an unusual storage of copper coins from 1,600 years ago in Galilee, and it is possible that the coins were hidden there during the last known Jewish rebellion against the Romans.
Researchers discovered 22 copper coins in a gap in a tunnel complex under the settlement known as Hukok. The tunnel was used by the Jews as a hiding place for two early rebellions against the Romans: the Great Rebellion (AD 66-70) and the Bar-Kochba (spelled Bar-Kokhba) Revolt (AD 132-135). However, a new coin storage did not date either of those rebellions, archaeologists found.
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“This shows that these tunnels were reused hundreds of years after they were excavated,” IAA archaeologist Uli Berger and Zefat Academic College professor and cave archaeology expert Inon Sibtiel said in an IAA statement. “Hoarding stipulates that, with all probability, this hidden complex was used in some way during another crisis, a rebellion during the Gals rebellion, with only historical evidence of its existence.”
The tunnels and crypts known as the Hukok Hiding Complex allowed Jews to conceal and carry out everyday religious practices so that they could not be seen by the Romans.
“It appears that those hiding this reservoir have carefully planned their hideout, hoping to return to it when the threatening troubles end,” Berger and Sivitiel said in a statement. “The coin was found in the pit and was intentionally dug at the edge of a narrow, meandering tunnel.”
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The Romans were in the holy land since 63 BC, and the Jews rebelled several times during Roman rule. Galus’ rebellion was named after his cousin, Constantius Gallas, a “Cesar” or politician who ruled the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire under his cousin, Roman Emperor Constantius II. However, the rebellion failed, and the Romans burned and destroyed many of the Jewish cities.
Hoard’s discoveries will be analyzed in a study in a future issue of Journal Israel’s Monetary Studies.
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