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Four 1,900-Year-Old Roman Swords Found in Judean Desert

(Times of Israel) Melanie Lidman - Archaeologists have discovered four 1,900-year-old Roman swords in a small fissure in a cave in the Judean Desert near Ein Gedi National Park, near the Dead Sea. "We're talking about an extremely rare find, the likes of which have never been found in Israel," said Dr. Eitan Klein, a director of the Israel Antiquities Authority's Judean Desert Survey. "Four swords amazingly preserved, including the fine condition of the metal, the handles, and the scabbards." The cave is already well-known to archaeologists, as it contains a stalactite with a fragmentary ink inscription written in ancient Hebrew script characteristic of the First Temple period. Recently, Israel Antiquities Authority experts returned to the cave, where Dr. Asaf Gayer spotted an extremely well-preserved Roman pilum - a shafted weapon - in a deep, narrow crack in the rock. He also found pieces of carved wood in an adjacent niche that turned out to be parts of the swords' scabbards. The Judean Desert Archaeological Survey Team, which is conducting a comprehensive survey of the 800 caves in the Judean Desert to preserve archaeological remains before they are looted, was summoned. They discovered four swords, three of which were found with the blades still inside their scabbards. Researchers also found ornate handles made of wood and metal with leather strips nearby. The arid climate in the Judean Desert helps preserve fragile artifacts. Archaeologists believe the swords were likely hidden in the cave during the Bar Kochba revolt (132 to 135 CE), a Jewish rebellion against Roman rule in Judea led by rebel leader Simon Bar Kochba.
2023-09-07 00:00:00
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