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Israeli archaeologists recently unearthed ancient gold In a former Christian monastery in the Judean desert.
The announcement was made this month by Israel’s Coordinator of Territorial Government Activities (COGAT). ancient treasures were discovered there Hyrcanian ruins It is located in the northern Judean Desert, approximately 10 miles east of Jerusalem in the West Bank.
The treasure consisted of two gold coins and a delicate gold ring. Despite the site being vulnerable to antiquities looting in the past, the artifacts miraculously survived for 1,400 years.
The site was built during the late Hellenistic period, between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, and was used as a fortress.
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Israeli archaeologists discovered gold coins and rings at the Hyrcanian ruins (left), highlighting Christian activity in the Judean desert during the Byzantine period. (Image; COGAT Public Relations Office)
Gold coins are solid And it featured a statue of Heraclius, who ruled the Byzantine Empire from 610 to 641 AD.
COGAT said the discovery “demonstrates Christian activity in the region during the Byzantine period.”
“meanwhile, Byzantine era, “With the development of monasteries in the Judean desert, a Christian monastery was established in that location through the activities of Saint Sabbath, one of the founders of desert monasteries, which operated for hundreds of years,” the agency’s press release said.
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“These discoveries strengthen the understanding that Hyrkania was part of a monastic and religious landscape active in the Judean Desert during Byzantine times.”
Archaeologist Binyamin Haeven said in a statement that the artifacts “reflect an important chapter of the Byzantine period and the region’s early Christian traditions.”
The discoveries at Hyrkania include two gold solids that have survived for about 1,400 years despite past plunder. (COGAT Public Relations Office)
“As an Israeli institution working in this region and tasked with protecting the historical heritage, the Civil Administration’s Archeology Unit believes that the preservation and study of the ruins of all eras and the communities that have been active here for generations is of great importance,” Hareven said.
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”Our work aims to preserve the past, enable research and make it accessible to everyone. ”
This discovery is not the only discovery in the Judean Desert to make international headlines this year.
Israeli officials say the gold ring provides valuable physical evidence of Byzantine-era Christian activity in the area. (COGAT Public Relations Office)
In early 2025, archaeologists discovered something. “Mysterious pyramid-shaped structure” It dates back 2,200 years in the desert.
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The structure is made of hand-hewn stones, each weighing several hundred pounds.
Fox News Digital’s Ashley DiMella contributed reporting.
