
Fabulous 1,400-Year-Old Trove of Gold Coins Sheds Light on Galilee Christian City’s Demise
Archaeologists at the ancient city of Hippos (Sussita) near the Sea of Galilee uncovered nearly 100 pure gold coins and jewelry fragments, a discovery they say illuminates the final years of the Byzantine era in the region. The University of Haifa team explained that the hoard was likely hidden during the Sassanid invasion around 614 CE—possibly by a wealthy family or goldsmith who never returned to reclaim it. A metal detectorist with the expedition stumbled upon the treasure when his device began “going crazy” as coins appeared one after another.
The find includes an unusual mix of denominations—solidi, semisses, and tremisses—spanning from Justin I to early Heraclius, offering a precise snapshot of the period’s upheavals. Researchers also noted fabric residue on the coins, indicating they were concealed in a cloth bag, and jewelry pieces that suggest private ownership rather than a church deposit. The trove adds texture to a site already known for multiple Byzantine churches and a vibrant Christian community before a devastating earthquake in 749 CE.
Beyond its scientific value, the discovery inspires wonder at the lives once lived atop the Golan Heights overlooking the Galilee—families who worked, prayed, and then hurriedly hid their wealth as war approached. The team says the research is just beginning, with hopes the hoard will refine our understanding of Hippos’s economy and resilience during a turbulent century. (TOI/VFI News)
“Creator of heaven and earth, thank You for the layers of history in the Land of Israel. As discoveries surface from ages past, let them deepen respect for this land’s heritage and for all who live in it today. Grant wisdom to protect these treasures and to build a future marked by peace, learning, and reverence for Your works.”
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