Archaeologists have just uncovered some incredible, priceless artifacts near the Sea of Galilee.
According to Fox News, researchers found a trove of gold coins and ancient jewelry near the ancient city of Hippos, which was of great importance to bishops during the Byzantine era.
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An October press release by the University of Haifa noted that this included 97 gold coins and “dozens of fragments of gold earrings inlaid with pearls, semi-precious stones and glass.”
Edie Lipsman, a metal detectorist, made the discovery when a stone moved between two walls and the coins appeared as the metal detector “went crazy.”
“I couldn’t believe it,” Lipsman said. “Gold coins started appearing one after another.”
As the report noted, these finds are over 1,500 years old, and the coins date to the time of Emperor Justin I from 520 A.D. to Emperor Heraclius in 610 A.D.
The release also described that, with the coins included, a “rare tremissis” was “probably minted in Cyprus at the end of 610 by Emperor Heraclius the Elder and his son during their revolt against Emperor Phocas.” Just as impressive as these details is the fact that “This is only the second such coin ever discovered in Israel.”
Not only were the jewelry and the coins found together, but research led by Michael Eisenberg said that”In addition, remnants of fabric were found on some of the coins…a trace of the cloth pouch in which the hoard had been hidden.”
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Finds like this remind us that the land of Israel still holds countless treasures. As archaeologists continue to unearth these priceless remnants near the Sea of Galilee, let us pray that hearts across the world are stirred to seek the greater treasure—the eternal truth found in Jesus Christ, whose presence once graced these very shores.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
