As Jews all over the world prepared to light the first candle of Hanukkah 2021 (5782), the IDF Civil Administration revealed on Sunday a rare artifact from the Hasmonean era – a lead sling stone bearing the name of Seleucid ruler Diodotus Tryphon, who waged war against the Hasmoneans.
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The stone was discovered at Tel Zif in the southern Hebron Hills and measures some three centimeters (1.2 inches) long. It bears a clearly legible Greek inscription that includes the name of Diodotus Typhon, who controlled the Seleucid Empire from 142-183 BCE, and the symbol for the Greek god Zeus.
Hanania Hizmi, the officer in charge of the Archaeology Unit in the IDF Civil Administration, said, "I welcome the discovery of this impressive artifact, which joins other artifacts discovered by the Civil Administration in recent years.
"We continue to uncover new findings that comprise another layer of the rich history that occurred in Judea and Samaria hundreds and thousands of years ago," Hizmi said.
"The Civil Administration will continue to work tirelessly to preserve and excavate archaeological sites as well as national heritage and cultural properties throughout Judea and Samaria," Hizmi said.
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