Excavation site has historical roots dating back to time of Canaanites
Israeli archeologists with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) uncovered 44 Byzantine gold coins in Northern Israel, providing further evidence of the Muslim conquest of the Byzantine Empire in the Levant region.n a post on Facebook, the IAA said the excavation was at the site of Paneas – later called Banias – within the Hermon River National Park. According to Christian tradition, Banias is believed to be where Peter proclaimed Jesus to be the Christ.
The ancient excavation site also has historical roots dating back to the time of the Canaanites, who dedicated a shrine to the god Baal and was later used as a cultic site to the god Pan during the Hellenistic period.
The ancient excavation site also has historical roots dating back to the time of the Canaanites, who dedicated a shrine to the god Baal and was later used as a cultic site to the god Pan during the Hellenistic period.
According to Israel Antiquities Authority numismatic expert Dr. Gabriela Bijovsky, the coins in the ancient gold hoard were minted by Byzantine Emperors Phocas (602–610 CE) and Emperor Heraclius (610–641 CE).
Based on the latest coins of Heraclius, the coin hoard is believed to date back to 635 CE, when the Muslim Conquest of Byzantine Palestine took place.
“The coin hoard, weighing about 170 g, was concealed within the base of an ashlar stone wall at the time of the Muslim conquest. The discovery reflects a specific moment in time when we can imagine the owner concealing his fortune in the threat of war, hoping to return one day to retrieve his property.