Tangible evidence of the destruction of the Second Temple and the devastating events that unfolded in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago has come to light with the discovery of a rare coin in Jerusalem's City of David National Park.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The City of David Foundation announced the find on Thursday as Jews marked Tisha B'Av, a somber fast day commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples, which both occurred on the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av.
The coin was inscribed with the words, "For the Freedom of Zion," and was pierced in the middle. Presumably, it was worn as a pendant.
Video: A golden bell from the Second Temple Era / Asaf Perry, City of David
"It seems clear that the coin was pierced on purpose and the hole was not created as a result of natural weathering of the material," Yaniv David Levy of the Israel Antiquities Authority explained. "The coin is pierced on purpose to probably allow it to be hung."
Levy added, "These coins had no economic value and it is clear that they were kept as souvenirs."
He said other archaeological finds have shown that both Jewish families and Roman soldiers kept coins and other objects as mementos from the time of the Jewish Revolt of 66-73 CE and the Temple's destruction.
Levy explained that coins taken by Roman soldiers have been found in excavations of Roman military camps in Europe, but stressed, "In the case of this coin that was discovered this week in Jerusalem itself, it seems that the possibility that the coin was In the hands of a Jew – more likely."
He added, "We may never find out whom this coin belonged to, but saving some coins as souvenirs is a known phenomenon. We have evidence that there was a Jewish family that kept coins from that Hasmonean and Great Revolt era for many generations and ultimately found refuge in a cave during the Bar Kochva Revolt, where it also came to an end." He explained that "their tragedy allowed us to find the coins together and understand that those who died the Bar Kovhva Revolt saw those coins as having significant monetary value and were thus kept as souvenirs. On the other hand, we know of cases when Roman soldiers took coins with them as souvenirs from the rebellions. In this case, the coin was found this week in Jerusalem itself, making the probability that it was held by a Jew more plausible."
Other artifacts discovered in the City of David excavations include a stone weight, a spinning wheel, and a basalt grinding bowl, all offering a glimpse into Jewish life in Jerusalem during the Roman siege.
The excavation site, situated next to the "Pilgrims Road," which served as the main thoroughfare during the Second Temple period, has yielded a treasure trove of artifacts. Among the findings are the remains of collapsed buildings that provide insight into the destruction and turmoil that characterized the final days of Jerusalem.
"There are very few places where you can actually physically touch the ruins of Jerusalem," said Eli Escusido, director of the Antiquities Authority.
"Thanks to the new excavation by the Antiquities Authority in the City of David, the terrible events that we read about in the history books and which led to the fast of Tisha B'Av, are translated into tangible testimonies. In these days of internal division, we must be awake to the echo that reaches us from the depths of our past, and strive for what we have in common that connects us."
The announcement came one day after the discovery of another 2,000-year-old silver half-shekel coin in the Judean Desert.
IAA excavation directors Shlomo Greenberg and Rikki Zalut Har-Tuv said, "The stone tools that have been common in the Second Temple Era because they remain pure, along with the spinning wheel that was used to create clothes and the grinding bowl all combine to paint a human picture of the lives in Jerusalem in the days just prior to the destruction. To come back here 2,000 years later and expose the remnants, especially as part of an excavation that is taking place just before Tisha B'Av, is very moving; one cannot remain apathetic."
Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said: "There are few places where we can physically touch the destruction of Jerusalem. Thanks to the excavation, the terrible events we read about in history books, that led to the fasting of Tisha B'Av, are reflected in tangible evidence. In these days of internal division, we must be aware of the echo that reaches us from the depths of our past and strive for comradery."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
