Archaeologists discovered a rare Byzantine golden treasure treasure at Susita National Park in the Galilee area of Israel, shedding new light in the history of the area during the invasions of Sassanids-Persia, the Nature and Parks Authority announced on Thursday.
The discovery, made at the end of July 2025, includes 97 gold coins and dozens of elaborate gold earrings decorated with pearls, semiprecious stones and glass. Among the coins is a particularly rare termisis, cut in Cyprus around 610 AD. During an uprising against Emperor Fokas, the Jerusalem Post notes.
“It is one of the most important treasures of the Byzantine era that have been discovered in Israel, and its uniqueness lies in the combination of jewelry and gold coins from times of various emperors,” said Dr. Michael Eisenberg, one of the Directors of the excavation mission and researcher at the Zinman Institute of the University of Haifa.
He noted that some of the coins still contained residues from the fabric bag in which they were buried, offering a remarkable picture of the practices of the time.
Dr. Danny Sion, the coin specialist in the mission, explained the importance of the Termisis coin. “This is a rare finding that adds an important element to understanding the political and economic history of the period,” he said. It is the second currency of this kind that has ever been found in Israel.
The discovery was accidental when Eddie Lipman, a metal detector operator who helped the team, found a metal near a large stone.
“The device went crazy, I couldn’t believe it – gold coins began to appear one after the other,” recalls Lipman. The team carefully dug the area and, after confirming that there were no other objects, he began to catalog and study the treasure.
The coins are dated from the reign of Emperor Justin I (518-527 AD) until the early years of Emperor Heraklion (610-613 AD).
“Gold is a noble metal, and when you find coins and jewelry that is about 1,400 years old and look like new, it’s a rare experience,” Eisenberg said.
The discovery is more than a treasure. “This excellent treasure offers a rare picture of the Byzantine Galilee politics, wealth and daily life, illuminating a period of turmoil and cultural wealth that has long been hidden in history,” Eisenberg added.
Source :Skai
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