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Israeli Archeologists Strike Gold at Temple Mount
(Jerusalem Post) Daniel K. Eisenbud - Hebrew University archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar on Monday unveiled the "Ophel Treasure," a collection of 36 gold and silver coins, and a large gold medallion believed to date back to 614 CE, unearthed 50 meters from the southern wall of the Temple Mount, where she has directed the "Ophel Excavation" since 2009. The 10 cm. medallion was engraved with a seven-branched menorah, shofar and Torah scroll. "It was buried in a small depression in the floor, along with a smaller gold medallion, two pendants, a gold coil and a silver clasp - all of which are believed to be Torah scroll ornaments," she said. "The 36 gold coins can be dated to the reigns of different Byzantine emperors, ranging from the middle of the 4th century CE to the early 7th century CE," said Lior Dandberg, a numismatics specialist at the Institute of Archeology.