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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Archaeologists excavating an ancient manufacturing area that was active for hundreds of years were surprised to find a small clay vessel containing gold coins from the 9^th century CE. Researchers currently think that the treasure might have belonged to a potter.

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"All of I sudden I heard shouting," says Liat Nadav-Ziv, who is directing the dig with Dr. Eli Haddad of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

"I went out and saw Mark Mullokandov, a veteran IAA archaeologist, running toward the camp, all excited. We followed him and were surprised to see the treasure," she said.

Dr. Robert Cole, an IAA numismatics expert, gave the coins the once-over and the initial inspection indicates that they date to the beginning of the Abbasid Caliphate in the 9^th century. The coins include one gold dinar of the Caliph Harun a-Rashid.

Video: Galit Tal / IAA

"The trove contains coins that we rarely see here in Israel. They are gold dinars from the Aghlabid dynasty – who ruled North Africa on behalf of the Abbasid caliphs in Baghdad. This is undoubtedly a Hanukkah present for us," Cole said.

Other discoveries at the dig, which is located southeast of Tel Yavne, include a "field of furnaces" that operated around the end of the Byzantine and early Islamic era, from the 7^th century CE to the 9^th century CE. These furnaces were used to make jugs, cooking pots, and bowls, all to be sold commercially. The gold coins were discovered inside a tiny jug that rested at the mouth of one of the furnaces. Archaeologists think they might have been payment for one of the potters, who used the jug as his personal cash register.

On the other side of the Tel Yavne site, the dig has uncovered the remnants of a large industrial facility dating back to the Persian Era (5^th-4^th centuries BCE) that was apparently used to make wine.

Haddad explained that an initial examination of the findings had revealed traces of grape seeds.

"The size of the compartments and the number of them indicate that wine was manufactured in commercial quantities, much more than would be needed to meet local demand of the residents of ancient Yavne," he observed.

The Israel Antiquities Authority is carrying out the Yavne dig as part of preparations to lay the groundwork for a new residential neighborhood.

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The dig uncovered floors decorated with vast mosaics depicting birds, fruit and plants, colorful frescoes, and a curious Greek inscription that has baffled the researchers.

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"We found one inscription in the courtyard of the church which dedicates the site in the memory of a 'glorious martyr,'" said Benyamin Storchan, who directed the excavation. "The martyr is unnamed and it's still a mystery."

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) dates the shrine, located about 10 miles west of Jerusalem, to the sixth century CE.

An underground crypt found below the main part of the church is believed to have housed the martyr's remains. "This is the holiest place in the church," said Storchan, adding that pilgrims likely frequented the site.

Though the martyr in question is unknown, Storchan said the lavishness of the complex may indicate this person was an important figure. Another inscription showed Byzantine emperor Tiberius II Constantinus had helped fund the church's later expansion.

"We know of a few hundred churches in the Holy Land but this church by far surpasses most of them by its state of preservation and the imperial involvement which funded it," said Storchan.

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