Archaeology & History
1,900-year-old swords discovered in cave overlooking the Dead Sea
By
T.K. RandallSeptember 6, 2023 ·
1 comment
The cave offered quite the view. Image Credit: Oriya Amichai / Israel Antiquities Authority
The swords were found in a high up, inaccessible crevice where they had been hidden two millennia ago.
Measuring around 65cm in length, the swords - some still stored within their wooden scabbards - were likely hidden away in the cave by Judean rebels after being seized from the Roman army.
They were discovered quite by accident when a team climbed up to the near-inaccessible crevice overlooking the Dead Sea to photograph an inscription found on one of the stalactites.
"This is a dramatic and exciting discovery, touching on a specific moment in time," said Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
"This is a unique time capsule, whereby fragments of scrolls, coins from the Jewish Revolt, leather sandals, and now even swords in their scabbards, sharp as if they had only just been hidden away today."
Efforts are now underway to learn as much as possible about the swords and their owners.
"We are just beginning the research on the cave and the weapon cache discovered in it, aiming to try to find out who owned the swords, and where, when, and by whom they were manufactured," said Dr Eitan Klein - director of the Judean Desert Survey Project.
Source:
BBC News |
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Swords, Dead Sea
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