Archaeologists in Israel have stumbled upon a significant collection of gold and silver coins dating back to the 15th century, hidden near the remains of an ancient synagogue. The discovery offers valuable insights into medieval trade and cultural exchange in the region.
Archaeologists have unearthed a treasure trove of gold and silver coins near the ruins of a centuries-old synagogue in Israel , situated by the Sea of Galilee. The discovery, made at the archaeological site of Huqoq (also known as Yaquq), consists of 364 coins dating back to the 15th century. The coins were found within two earthenware jugs positioned beneath the collapsed wall of the synagogue.
The majority of the coins originate from medieval Venice or the Mamluk sultanate, which held dominion over the region during that era. The precise reason for the jugs containing these coins and their subsequent placement at the site remains shrouded in mystery. Dr. Kenneth Kool, a curator in the Israel Antiquities Authority's coin department, shed light on the findings in a paper published in the latest issue of the journal. He revealed that the earliest Venetian coins date back to the reign of Francesco Dandolo, the doge (leader) of Venice, between 1329 and 1339. The latest Venetian coins trace back to the period of Francesco Foscari, who reigned from 1423 to 1457. Many of the Venetian coins bear depictions of St. Mark the Evangelist, traditionally credited as the author of the Gospel of Mark, alongside Latin inscriptions that translate to 'It is to You, Christ, that this Duchy is entrusted which You govern,' according to Kool.During the Middle Ages in the eastern Mediterranean, Venetian coins were widely prevalent as an export currency. 'By the end of the fourteenth century ducats were the only European gold currency accepted in Mamluk Egypt and Syria,' stated Kool in his study. The majority of the Mamluk coins discovered in the hoard were minted during the reign of Sultan al-Ashraf Barsbay, from 1422 to 1438, as noted by Kool. The hoard also includes a few coins from other regions in Southern Europe, such as a silver coin minted during the reign of James I, who ruled Sicily from 1285 to 1295, and even a coin from Serbia. The 'deposition of the hoard occurred sometime during or after 1438-1457,' a timeframe deduced from the analysis of the coins and other archaeological remains, Kool wrote in the paper. The identity of the individual or group who deposited the hoard, the source of their wealth, and the motivation behind leaving it at the synagogue remain unknown.However, several possibilities have been proposed. It could have been money donated for synagogue repairs, or perhaps a traveling merchant deposited the hoard for safekeeping and never returned. Another theory suggests the coins were left by pilgrims journeying to the tomb of Habakkuk, a prophet mentioned in the Hebrew Bible who resided in the 7th century B.C. This tomb is situated near Huqoq. The building ceased being used as a synagogue in the mid-15th century, according to Kool. Subsequently, the structure fell into disrepair. The hoard was discovered in the summer of 2018, but its unveiling was delayed due to concerns about looting. Professor Brien Cunningham-Parker, a professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who led the team responsible for the discovery but was not an author of the new study, informed Live Science via email
Archaeology Archaeology Coins Medieval Synagogue Israel History Sea Of Galilee
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