A glittering window into the Byzantine world has opened on the slopes above the Sea of Galilee. Archaeologists from the University of Haifa, working in Israel’s Susita National Park, have uncovered a remarkable 1,400-year-old hoard of 97 pure gold coins and dozens of fragments of gold earrings — some inlaid with pearls, semi-precious stones and glass.
“This is one of the main hoards from the Byzantine period discovered on land in Israel,” explained Dr. Michael Eisenberg, co-director of the excavation. “Its uniqueness lies in the combination of jewelry and gold coins from the reigns of various emperors.”
For jewelry lovers, the earrings are the true stars. Delicate craftsmanship reveals how Byzantine artisans blended gold with shimmering pearls and stones to create pieces that were both luxurious and symbolic.
“The earrings are the big surprise for me,” said Dr. Arleta Kowalewska, co-director of the excavation. “Delicate goldsmithing combining semi-precious stones and pearls – I hope that contemporary goldsmiths will recreate this beauty.”
The coins themselves add historical weight to the jewelry’s sparkle. Spanning from Emperor Justin I (518–527 CE) to the early years of Emperor Heraclius (610–613 CE), the collection includes solidi, semisses, and tremisses, or third-solidus pieces.
Most astonishing is a rare tremissis, minted in Cyprus in 610 during the revolt of Heraclius the Elder and his son against Emperor Phocas. Only the second such coin ever discovered in Israel, it provides an extraordinary glimpse into the political upheavals of the era.
“This is a rare find that adds an important layer to the understanding of the political and economic history of the period,” noted Dr. Danny Syon, the excavation’s numismatist.
The treasure was first detected in July by metal detector operator Eddie Lipsman, who recalled, “The device went crazy — I couldn’t believe it. Gold coins began to be revealed one after another.”
The find likely represents valuables hurriedly hidden before the Persian invasion of 614 CE, when residents of Susita (also known as Hippos), then a flourishing Christian city with at least seven churches, faced impending danger. Although the city survived the conquest, it was ultimately abandoned after a devastating earthquake in 749 CE.
“Gold is a noble metal,” Dr. Eisenberg reflected. “When you find coins and jewelry about 1,400 years old that look like new, it is a rare experience.”
The ancient artifacts remained in pristine condition because gold retains its luster and doesn't easily corrode or degrade over time.
For today’s jewelry world, these earrings and coins are not only treasures of the past, but also timeless inspirations for future design.
Credits: Images courtesy of Dr. Michael Eisenberg/University of Haifa.