Rare Gold found in Jerusalem a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Discovery

Dr. Eilat Mazar, an archaeologist from Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, has discovered two bundles of rare golden treasure while conducting excavations at the foot of the Temple Mount.

The bundles contain 36 gold coins, gold, silver, and a ten-centimetre gold medallion with symbols of a menorah, shofar, and a Torah scroll engraved onto it.

They are believed to be from the late Byzantine era (early 7th century CE), meaning the bundles are approximately 1400 years old. Mazar estimates that the treasures were abandoned in 614 CE during the Persian conquest of Jerusalem.

Mazar, a experienced and renowned Israeli archaeologist, called the bundles “a breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime discovery.”

(Gold medallion with menorah symbol/Photo: Ouria Tadmor)

“We have been making significant finds from the First Temple Period in this area, a much earlier time in Jerusalem’s history, so discovering a golden seven-branched Menorah from the seventh century CE at the foot of the Temple Mount was a complete surprise,” he added.

Tazpit News Agency reports that the discovery was made five days into Mazar’s most recent excavation of the Ophel region, found in the ruins of a 50-meter long Byzantine statue. One of the bundles was hidden underground, indicating that the rare golden treasure was hidden for a reason.

As the medallion is engraved with three Jewish symbols, the find confirms the Jewish people’s historical presence in the area, and of that time period.

After the Persians took over Jerusalem, history notes that many Jewish people returned to the Holy City, and were often at odds with Persian rulers who looked to exile the Jews from Jerusalem. Dr. Mazar suggests the medallion with symbols engraved onto it could be a Torah scroll ornament. If so, it is the oldest such ornament to be found in archaeological excavations.

(Dr. Mazar holding the medallion/Photo: Ouria Tadmor)

“It would appear that the most likely explanation is that the Ophel cache was earmarked as a contribution toward the building of a new synagogue, at a location that is near the Temple Mount,” Dr. Mazar said. “What is certain is that their mission, whatever it was, was unsuccessful. The treasure was abandoned, and its owners could never return to collect it.”

According to Lior Sandberg, numismatics specialist at the Institute of Archaeology, “The 36 gold coins can be dated to the reigns of different Byzantine emperors, ranging from the middle of the fourth century CE to the early seventh century CE.”