Researchers at the University of Haifa’s Zinman Institute of Archaeology have uncovered a rare hoard of coins belonging to King Alexander Jannaeus, the second ruler of the Hasmonean dynasty, over Hanukkah.
The excavation, led by Dr. Shay Bar, Dr. Yoav Farhi, and Dr. Mechael Osband, resulted in the exceptional discovery last Friday morning.
Alexander Jannaeus (known in Jewish tradition as Alexander Yannai) ruled the kingdom of Judea from 103 to 76 BCE. A descendant of Jewish royalty, he was the son of John Hyrcanus, grandson of Simon the Hasmonean (the brother of Judah Maccabee), and great-grandson of Mattathias, who led the revolt against the armies of Antiochus in 167 BCE. This revolt, which culminated in the cleansing of the Temple, is commemorated annually during Hanukkah.
Dr. Bar explained, “We believe the coins were discovered at a way station, a site previously unknown to us. It featured a purification mikvah, a pool, and other structures, located along the Tirzah River Valley on the main road leading to the Sartaba fortress, which was built by King Jannaeus.”
Dr. Farhi, curator at the Eretz Israel Museum, noted that the coins appear to be identical, each featuring an eight-pointed star and an inscription in Aramaic that reads, “King Alexander, Year 25.” The reverse side displays an anchor and the Greek inscription “[Coin of] King Alexander.” The researchers believe this coin style was in circulation around 80/79 BCE.
This discovery is exceptionally rare, as very few coin hoards belonging to Alexander Jannaeus have been found, making this one of the largest hoards of its kind uncovered in Israel.
Dr. Bar expressed, “All our students and volunteers were thrilled to find this Hasmonean artifact, especially during Hanukkah. It added a deeper significance to the holiday, particularly in these challenging times for the Jewish people. I hope this site will attract visitors and be preserved as a protected archaeological heritage site in Israel.”
