Each coin features inscriptions that include an eight-pointed star and the phrase “King Alexander 25” written in Aramaic, one of the world’s oldest known languages that originated in the region around what is now Syria and is closely related to both Arabic and Hebrew. These coins date back to around 80 B.C.E., according to the University of Haifa.
“The site where the treasure was unearthed appears to be a way station, previously unrecognized in research,” stated Shai Bar, one of the excavation leaders, in a communication to the university. Bar mentioned that the station contained a purification bath used for religious rituals, a water storage area, and other structures. Situated along a main road leading to the Alexandrion fortress, perched atop a mountain in the Jordan Valley by Alexander Jannaeus.
The coins were discovered during an excavation project in the Jordan Valley. / Credit: University of HaifaBar shared with the university that students and volunteers partook in the excavation that revealed the ancient coins of the monarch. He noted their excitement in uncovering the trove during Hanukkah.
“This discovery added an extra layer of significance to the holiday for them, especially during the challenging times our people are currently facing,” Bar remarked. “I envision this site becoming a popular attraction, joining the ranks of our country’s archaeological and heritage sites.”
Hanukkah commenced on December 25 this year and spans eight days, concluding on Thursday, January 2.
