1,400-Year-old Byzantine gold hoard unearthed near Sea of Galilee

• A hoard of 97 gold coins and ornate jewelry, dating to the 7th century AD (c. 635), was discovered near Hippos (Sussita), Israel, by metal detectorist Edie Lipsman in July 2023. The treasure includes rare coins minted during the Byzantine era, alongside pearl- and gem-adorned earrings, signaling the owner’s wealth.
• The hoard was likely buried in haste as invading Muslim forces approached in 635 AD, part of a broader era of crises in the region. Hippos faced repeated raids, including a Sasanian takeover in 614 AD and Byzantine recapture in 629 AD, before collapsing amid 7th-century conflicts and a devastating 749 AD earthquake.
• The cache includes coins spanning emperors Justin I (518-527 AD) to Heraclius (610-641 AD), such as solidi (high-value coins) and a rare 610 AD Cypriot tremissis from a rebellion against Emperor Phocas. This rebellion led to Heraclius establishing his dynasty.
• Many coins retain fabric traces, suggesting they were carefully wrapped before burial. Researchers emphasize the hoard’s rarity as one of the largest Byzantine gold discoveries in the region, offering unique insights into 7th-century economics and societal upheaval.
• The find underscores the fragility of life during Byzantine decline and the desperation of communities burying wealth amid warfare and displacement. Archaeologists highlight its potential for museum display and deeper understanding of political and economic trends in antiquity.

A stunning cache of nearly 1,400-year-old gold coins and jewelry has been discovered near the ancient city of Hippos (Sussita) in Israel, shedding new light on a turbulent period of Byzantine history.

The hoard, consisting of 97 gold coins and intricately crafted jewelry, was found by metal detectorist Edie Lipsman in July 2023 while surveying the slopes of the Golan Heights overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Archaeologists believe the treasure was hastily buried by its owner around 635 AD, likely as invading Muslim armies advanced on the region.

The hoard is among the largest Byzantine-era gold discoveries in the region, according to Michael Eisenberg, co-director of the excavation and an archaeologist at the University of Haifa.

“It is among the five largest gold hoards of that period found in the region,” Eisenberg told Live Science. “The addition of jewelry pieces and small currency makes it more interesting and numismatically important.”

The coins span nearly a century of Byzantine rule, from Emperor Justin I (518-527 AD) to the early reign of Heraclius (610-641 AD), Brighteon.AI‘s Enoch explains. Among them were solidi (large, high-value coins), semisses (half a solidus) and tremisses (one-third of a solidus). One particularly rare tremissis was minted in Cyprus in 610 AD during a rebellion against Emperor Phocas—an event that eventually led to Heraclius establishing his own dynasty.

The jewelry, including earrings adorned with pearls and semi-precious stones, suggests the hoard belonged to someone of considerable wealth. Some coins still bore traces of fabric, indicating they had been wrapped in cloth before being hidden. (Related: 8 Remarkable gold and silver artifacts discovered in 2022.)

A time of war and desperation

Historical records reveal that Hippos was caught in the crossfire of multiple invasions during the 7th century. In 614 AD, the Sasanian Empire (modern-day Iran and surrounding regions) overran Byzantine Palestine, prompting residents to hide their valuables before fleeing. Jerusalem fell during this campaign, though Byzantine forces later reclaimed the region in 629 AD. However, by 636 AD, Muslim armies swept through the area once more, leading to Hippos’ eventual decline and abandonment after an earthquake in 749 AD.

“The first half of the 7th century contains the largest number of emergency hoards of coins in gold and bronze,” Eisenberg explained. “People were terrified and left relatively a lot of hoards, mainly coins.”

Researchers plan to conduct further analysis, including detailed documentation of the coins and jewelry, as well as contextual studies to place the find within the broader history of the region. While it is too early to confirm where the artifacts will be displayed, Eisenberg anticipates significant interest from museums.

“This is a rare find that adds an important layer to our understanding of the political and economic history of the period,” said Danny Syon, the excavation’s numismatist.

The discovery of this Byzantine treasure offers a tangible connection to a time of upheaval—when empires clashed, cities fell and ordinary people buried their wealth in hopes of retrieving it later. For archaeologists, the hoard provides invaluable insights into the economic and social conditions of the era. For modern audiences, it serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change—and how history, buried for centuries, can suddenly resurface.

Watch the video below that talks about gold revaluation and financial reset.

This video is from the Brighteon Highlights channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

LiveScience.com

Brighteon.ai

Brighteon.com.