Ayayu Belete, a City of David worker who discovered the pendant, described the moment of finding it. "One day while I was digging inside an ancient structure, I suddenly saw something different, gray, among the stones," Belete recounted, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority. "I picked up the object out and saw that it was a pendant with a menorah on it. I immediately showed the find to Esther Rakow-Mellet, the area director, and she said it was an especially rare find. I was deeply moved and excited!"

Historical records indicate Jews faced prohibitions against entering Jerusalem during Byzantine rule, complicating the interpretation of menorah-decorated artifacts found in the city. Researchers question whether such finds represent random occurrences or belonged to Jews who came to Jerusalem for commerce, administrative purposes, or clandestine pilgrimages under unofficial circumstances, according to the report.

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The ship, which carried approximately 11 million gold and silver coins, was estimated by Sky News to be worth about $20 billion and earned the nickname "the Holy Grail of shipwrecks."

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Researchers identified a fracture line running across the ceilings of both the entrance corridor and burial chamber. They noted that the shale rock in which the famous tomb was excavated has been expanding and contracting.

According to the study, humidity has climbed to over 80% inside the tomb, well above the 60% considered safe for painted plaster, leading to peeling wall paintings and the spread of mold. Preservation experts believe the damage can be traced back to a sudden flood in October 1994 that inundated the Valley of the Kings, flooding the tomb and introducing new cracks while raising humidity levels.

Prof. Saeed Hamada, head of the Department of Architectural Heritage Conservation at Cairo University, stated that cracks first recorded after the 1994 flood have continued to widen with every new rainstorm. He emphasized the need for urgent intervention and rigorous scientific assessments to mitigate the risks to royal tombs across the Valley of the Kings.

Field measurements gathered for the study documented recurrent swelling and contraction of the tomb's stone walls, causing stone flakes to detach and a web of cracks to form in the ceiling of the burial chamber. Geologists cautioned that pressure from the mountainside could result in sudden rock detachment during heavy rainstorms.

A conservation project carried out between 2009 and 2014 changed the visitor entry method and added a new ventilation system. However, researchers noted that these upgraded systems are proving inadequate in the face of climate change, more intense storms, and continued tourist pressure.

The study also highlights similar threats to nearby monuments, including the Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el-Bahari, where unstable slopes and recurring flash floods have swept debris into decorated chambers and saturated the ground. "Where are the regular reports tracking endangered sites and outlining protection measures?" asked Imad Mahdi of the Egyptian Archaeological Association.

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"As part of extended research documenting architectural items from villages in the Golan together with Prof. Haim Ben-David and Dr. Benny Arubas, we documented over 150 items in the Yahudiya Nature Reserve, most of them in secondary use in the abandoned Syrian village. But the synagogue's location wasn't known until now," says Dr. Mechael Osband from the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa and senior lecturer in the Department of Land of Israel Studies at Kinneret College.

"We identified an unusual concentration of items and column segments placed on a path in the abandoned modern village, and there we decided to conduct an examination. Already at the beginning of the excavation, dozens of architectural items were revealed, and later, to our surprise, the southern wall of the building was also revealed with three openings facing toward Jerusalem," he added.

Although hundreds of architectural items from the Byzantine period were previously documented in the Yahudiya Reserve area, the location of the synagogue remained a mystery. In previous archaeological surveys, more than 150 items were collected and documented, including lintels, column segments, and decorated basalt stones, most of which were reused in secondary applications within the abandoned village within the reserve.

Now, following a focused excavation, the building itself has been revealed for the first time: two rows of stones from the building's southern wall built from hewn stones with three openings. Next to them, two lintels were discovered close to their original location, opposite the openings, one of them decorated.

Additionally, many decorated items were discovered outside the southern wall and inside the building – some in stone collapses and earth fill, and some in secondary use from later periods. In past surveys conducted at the site, many items of monumental and public construction were discovered, including menorah decorations. The Golan region, where the synagogue is located, was formerly a Jewish area during the Roman and Byzantine periods – from the first century BCE until the 7th-8th centuries CE. The building's outline, approximately 13 meters wide and about 17 meters long, indicates that it was built in the basilica style – a rectangular building with two rows of columns and benches built along the walls – an architectural form characteristic of ancient synagogues in the Land of Israel.

According to Dr. Osband, the discovery of the southern wall, which is over 13 meters long and has openings facing toward Jerusalem, combined with items found and known from other synagogues previously revealed – such as Holy Ark shelf fragments and more – constitutes clear evidence of the building's designation as a synagogue.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority notes that the excavation is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Haifa, with assistance from the Hecht Foundation, the Department of Land of Israel Studies at Kinneret Academic College, and assistance from reserve manager Nael Daabous and the staff working at the Yahudiya Reserve.

According to Dr. Dror Ben-Yosef, archaeologist from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority: "The discovery of the ancient synagogue at Yahudiya testifies more than anything to Jewish settlement in the Golan already 1,500 years ago, when the Jewish community flourished in the Golan. Besides this synagogue, about 25 other ancient synagogues have been discovered in the Golan, testifying to the strong Jewish presence in the Golan. These synagogues served not only as places of prayer but also as centers of learning and the core of Jewish identity. The Sages frequented these buildings and disseminated Jewish knowledge to all community members, from children to the elderly. We intend to complete the excavation of the magnificent synagogue at Yahudiya in the future and make it accessible to all reserve visitors."

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The treasure consisted of 97 pure gold coins and dozens of gold earring fragments, each embedded with pearls, semi-precious stones, and glass.

"This is one of the most significant Byzantine-period treasures discovered on land in Israel, unique for its combination of jewelry and gold coins from different emperors' reigns. Additionally, fabric remnants were found on some coins – traces of the cloth bag in which the treasure was hidden," said Dr. Michael Eisenberg from the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa, co-director of the excavation expedition.

Among the coins, researchers discovered a particularly rare item: a tremissis likely minted in Cyprus in late 610 by Emperor Heraclius the Elder and his son during their rebellion against Emperor Phocas. This is only the second coin of its type ever found in Israel. "This is a rare find that adds an important layer to understanding the political and economic history of the period," explained Dr. Danny Syon, numismatist of the excavation expedition.

The treasure was discovered accidentally in late July 2025. Eddie Lipsman, a metal detector operator accompanying the expedition, passed near a large stone when his device began signaling the presence of metal. When the stone fell between two walls, the signal intensified, and within moments, gold coins began emerging one after another from the archaeological section. "The device went crazy, I couldn't believe it – gold coins started appearing one after another," Lipsman recounted. Researchers delayed announcing the discovery to ensure no additional finds remained in the area and to complete the initial research phase.

The treasure includes 97 gold coins and delicate jewelry. Some coins are full-value solidus, but halves (semissis) and thirds (tremissis) were also found. They date from Emperor Justinus I (518-527 CE) to the early reign of Emperor Heraclius (610-613 CE). "Gold is a noble metal, and finding coins and jewelry approximately 1,400 years old that look brand new is a rare experience," said Dr. Eisenberg. Dr. Arleta Kowalewska added, "The earrings are the biggest surprise for me. Delicate craftsmanship combining semi-precious stones and pearls – I hope contemporary jewelers will recreate this beauty."

The ancient city of Susita, overlooking the Sea of Galilee from the east, was an important Christian center during the Byzantine period, serving as a bishop's seat with at least seven active churches. The site has been excavated for 26 years by the University of Haifa's excavation expedition led by Dr. Eisenberg and Dr. Kowalewska. This marks the first discovery of a gold treasure of this scale in the city. In recent years, researchers have uncovered remains linked to the Sasanian conquest, including the burning of the Martyr Theodorus Church, leading to speculation that local Jews may have participated in the rebellion alongside the Sasanian army against Byzantine rule.

Dr. Dror Ben-Yosef, archaeologist and heritage supervisor for the Northern District of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, stated: "Susita National Park is a mountain of surprises spanning 1,000 years of history. Excavating the site has shed new light on both the pagan and Christian worlds. Susita's story teaches us about the cultural and religious currents and subcurrents present in the land simultaneously, as well as about the diversity of its residents. To understand the complexity of the area approximately 1,400 years ago, one needs only to climb Mount Susita and look west toward Tiberias, the Jewish city. While a wealthy Christian community developed in Susita around seven churches, Tiberias residents maintained a Jewish lifestyle centered on synagogues."

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Two additional water systems from the same period join this newly uncovered structure. A tower that dammed the Gihon Spring and a channel that carried its waters into the Pool of Siloam, where they merged with floodwaters blocked by the dam, form this comprehensive network. These systems demonstrate comprehensive urban planning for managing Jerusalem's water supply as early as the late 9th century BCE, providing clear evidence of the city's strength and sophistication.

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Video: The ancient weight in Jerusalem / IAA

The fascinating archaeological find is inscribed with the text "Heliodorus son of Apollonius, agoranomos" – the name and title of a government official responsible for overseeing the accuracy of measurements and weights in markets to prevent commercial fraud. The date indicated on the weight – year 165 of the Seleucid era – corresponds to the Hellenistic period in the Land of Israel, when the Seleucid Empire controlled vast regions of the Middle East.

Official with ties to Greek culture

Ido Zangen, a researcher at the Israel Antiquities Authority, explained, "The Greek names Heliodorus and his father, Apollonius, indicate a Hellenized population. Both names are linked to the sun gods in Greek mythology, Helios and Apollo, suggesting a cultural-religious connection to the Hellenistic culture that dominated the Land of Israel at that time."

Zangen added that such names were particularly common in the region of Idumea (modern-day southern Judea), where the local god Qos was identified with Greek sun deities.

Remarkable precision in the ancient weight

One of the surprising discoveries about the weight is its remarkable precision. Its weight corresponds exactly to one mina, the standard unit of weight for the period, equivalent to one hundred Greek drachmas. Researchers identify a mark resembling the Greek letter M on the weight as an abbreviation for the word "mina."

Alongside the inscription, there is also an illustration of a dolphin, the significance of which is still under investigation. Researchers hope that deciphering the symbol will help identify the specific city from which the weight originated, as different cities used unique symbols on their coins and weights.

Combating antiquities theft

The weight was discovered during an intelligence-based operation by the Israel Antiquities Authority's Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Theft in a Jerusalem antiquities shop. Inspectors from the Israel Antiquities Authority questioned the shop owner to trace the intermediaries and thieves who removed the weight from its original site.

The discovery highlights both the rich archaeological heritage of the Land of Israel from the Hellenistic period and the ongoing efforts of the Israel Antiquities Authority to prevent illegal trade in antiquities.

The weight will be transferred for further in-depth study to expand understanding of the economic and social life during the Hellenistic period in the Land of Israel.

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According to Esther Rakow-Mellet, archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, "In the last few days, an unexpected gift was discovered: Yaniv David Levy, our coin researcher, came here and to his great surprise found a coin, covered in dirt. Already then, we thought from the looks of it that it might be a rare coin. We waited anxiously for several days until it came back from cleaning, and it turned out that it was a greeting from the Jewish rebels in the Year Four of the Great Revolt."

According to Yanniv David Levy, a researcher and curator in the coin department of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The coin is made of bronze, and its state of preservation is quite good. On its obverse side you can see a model of a goblet, and around it is an inscription in ancient Hebrew script: 'LeGe'ulat Zion', 'For the Redemption of Zion'. On its reverse is a lulav, a palm frond used in the Sukkot festival ritual. Next to it are two etrogs, the citron used in that same ritual. The reverse bears the inscription: 'Year Four'." This inscription denotes the number of years since the outbreak of the rebellion and allows us to accurately date the coin to the period between the Hebrew month of Nissan (March-April) of the year 69 CE, and the month of Adar (February-March) of the year 70 CE.

According to Levy, "The 'Year Four' bronze coins differ from their predecessors. Their size and weight increased significantly, and the earlier rebel coin inscription, 'For the Freedom (Herut) of Zion', is replaced by a new inscription – 'For the Redemption of Zion'.

Research accepts the assumption that "year four of the Great Revolt" coins were minted in Jerusalem under the leadership of Shimon Bar Giora, who was one of the prominent commanders in the final year of the revolt. Coins from this year are considered relatively rare, and the vast majority of them were discovered in Jerusalem and its surroundings.

According to Dr. Yuval Baruch, excavation director for the Israel Antiquities Authority and one of the site's researchers for about 25 years, "The inscription on the coin – 'For the Redemption of Zion,' replacing the earlier 'For the Liberation of Zion' – indicates a profound change of identity and mindset, and perhaps also reflects the desperate situation of the rebel forces about six months before the fall of Jerusalem on Tisha B'Av, the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av; in August of the year 70 CE. It would seem that in the rebellion's fourth year, the mood of the rebels now besieged in Jerusalem changed from euphoria and anticipation of freedom at hand, to a dispirited mood and a yearning for redemption. It is also possible that the representatives of the ritual "Four Species' depicted on the coin, which are symbols of the Sukkot Festival and the ritual national pilgrimage to the Temple, were intended to evoke among the rebels a sense of redemption and anticipation of a hoped-for miracle and happy times.

In the excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority at this location for the sixth season, numerous findings and building remains dating from the Second Temple period to the Umayyad period are being uncovered. The excavations are carried out with funding from the Shalem Project and the City of David Association.

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The excavation launched two weeks ago has already yielded extraordinary discoveries, including an elegant stone pavement that formed part of a ceremonial street leading from the city's heart to its main gate. Decorated columns that once flanked this ancient thoroughfare now lie beside the pathway, a testament to the architectural sophistication of the Herodian period.

Among the most intriguing finds is an ornate stone base that archaeologists believe supported a significant monument near the city gate. Though the monument itself has vanished through the millennia, researchers suspect it may have been a decorative gateway marking the entrance to a tower or temple complex.

These excavations represent the first comprehensive archaeological work at Sebastia in approximately 100 years, following Harvard University's pioneering expedition that initially uncovered the gate and its protective towers around 115 years ago. Since then, the site has suffered from neglect, with debris accumulating around these ancient structures.

The current project emerged after Israel Hayom reported in May 2023 on repeated acts of vandalism at the historically significant location. This prompted government officials to allocate 30 million shekels ($8.5 million) toward developing Sebastia into a major tourist destination, following the successful model of Herodium in eastern Gush Etzion.

Currently, Israeli visitors can only access the site during special events with advance planning, but the development project aims to transform Sebastia into an accessible destination capable of welcoming hundreds of thousands of annual visitors.

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu expressed satisfaction with the project's early progress, noting that "Sebastia is one of the most important sites in our national and historical heritage. I am pleased that the work undertaken as part of the resources we are investing to expose the great splendor of ancient Samaria is already bearing fruit in preserving Jewish heritage in the region."

The minister emphasized the broader goal of making archaeological treasures accessible to the general public, stating that officials "will continue our efforts to make these accessible to the general public so that the site becomes a magnet for hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, which will strengthen the connection between the people and their heritage and their land."

Benjamin Har Even, Archaeological Staff Officer, described the initiative as multifaceted work "to make accessible, develop and preserve the site. We are working in Judea and Samaria to preserve and make accessible historical sites in order to perpetuate the heritage of all of us."

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Archaeological excavations began Monday morning at the ancient Samaria National Park (Sebastia), the only surviving remnant of the ancient Kingdom of Israel and location of the biblical Israelite kings' palace. The excavations mark the beginning of efforts to preserve the site and transform it into a national park accessible to visitors, following a government decision approved two years ago led by the Ministries of Heritage, Environmental Protection, and Tourism.

The excavations at the site are being led by Uzi Greenfeld, the Samaria regional archaeologist representing the archaeology department and the Civil Administration. Greenfeld explained that this is one of Israel's most significant archaeological sites, which functioned as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel during biblical times and appears frequently in biblical texts.

Archaeological work was previously conducted at the site more than a century ago by archaeologists from Harvard University. Those excavations uncovered the western wing of the fortress of the kings of Israel from the era of Omri and Jehu, along with unprecedented artifacts that are now displayed at the Israel Museum.

A subsequent excavation was conducted at the site in 1931, involving researchers from five institutions, including Harvard University and Hebrew University. During that expedition, archaeologists discovered one of the largest theaters in the region, constructed by Herod during the Second Temple period. The site also contains locations sacred to Christianity, including the tomb of John the Baptist.

The current excavation work, which begins at the ancient city gate, is expected to expand in the coming months toward the location of the ancient Israelite royal palace.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, welcomed the start of the excavations, "This is a historic day. No people has a connection to their homeland stronger than the people of Israel to the Land of Israel. When digging in ancient Samaria, you are touching the Bible with your hands. Living in Samaria is not just a right, it's also a duty to protect the most sacred biblical sites – the cradle of the Jewish people's homeland, the cradle of human civilization. Against the barbarism of the Palestinian Authority, we are saving the sacred places and will not rest until ancient Samaria fulfills its destiny, and the national park operates fully as a site welcoming visitors."

Tourism Minister Haim Katz said, "I welcome the beginning of work at Sebastia, following a dedicated government decision that we promoted with a budget of approximately 32 million shekels ($9 million) to rehabilitate the historic site. The Tourism Ministry's policy is to nurture the history of the Jewish people rooted in Judea and Samaria, and to realize the tourism potential in the land of the Bible."

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu said, "Sebastia is one of the most important sites in our national and historical heritage. The establishment of the Samaria National Park at the site represents a significant step in preserving the Jewish and cultural heritage of the Land of Israel. The works are being implemented as part of the government's decision with a total budget of 32 million shekels ($9 million). We intend to invest considerable resources to uncover the historical treasures buried here and make them accessible to the general public. Our goal is to breathe new life into the site and transform it into a destination for hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, which will strengthen the connection between the people and their heritage and land."

Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman said, "Today, historical justice is finally taking place. We have begun excavations at the Sebastia site – the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Israel and a beating heart of Jewish history. For years, they tried to erase our connection to the place, deny our identity, blur the obvious. But there is no Palestinian people and therefore no Palestinian heritage sites. There is a Jewish people, there is Jewish history, and we have a mission to preserve it, expose it, and pass it on to future generations. We will continue to invest resources here through the Nature and Parks Authority – and ensure that Sebastia is not forgotten, but shines anew."

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