During Hanukkah, a remarkable archaeological discovery emerged in the Jordan Valley: a cache of ancient coins minted by King Alexander Jannaeus, a significant ruler of the Hasmonean Kingdom who governed from 104–76 BCE.
Jannaeus, descended from a lineage of revolutionary leaders, was the son of John Hyrcanus, grandson of Simon the Hasmonean, and great-grandson of Mattathias who sparked the rebellion against Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Seleucid Empire. This historic uprising, which commenced in 167 BCE, culminated in the Temple's purification and the genesis of the Hanukkah celebration. The rebellion ultimately established a sovereign Jewish Kingdom under Hasmonean leadership. Historical records, confirmed by numismatic evidence, reveal his Hebrew name as Jonathan, abbreviated to Jannaeus.
Conducted by the University of Haifa's premier archaeological team – including Dr. Shai Bar from the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, Dr. Yoav Farhi, and Dr. Michael Osband – the excavation uncovered a previously unknown roadside complex. "The site features a ritual bath, water reservoir, and additional structures along Nahal Tirza's banks, situated on the primary route leading to the Sartaba Fortress, which Jannaeus himself constructed," Dr. Bar elaborated.
Dr. Yoav Farhi, the Israel Museum's ancient coin curator, noted the collection's remarkable uniformity. Each coin bears an eight-pointed star with an Aramaic inscription reading "King Alexander Year 25" on one side, and an anchor with a Greek inscription on the reverse. Dated to 80/79 BCE, such comprehensive coin collections are exceptionally rare in archaeological research, making this discovery particularly significant.
"Discovering this Hasmonean treasure during Hanukkah imbued our work with profound meaning, especially amidst the current challenging national context," Dr. Bar reflected. "We hope this site will become a cherished public landmark, enriching Israel's archaeological heritage."
