Ancient Coins Unearthed in Lod Reveal Last Jewish Revolt Against Rome

Israeli archaeologists have uncovered evidence of the last Jewish resistance against Roman rule, known as the Gallus Revolt, in the city of Lod. The discovery was made by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) during an excavation funded by the Lod Municipality. A public building dating back to the Late Roman-Early Byzantine period was found with a hoard of 94 silver and bronze coins hidden in its foundations. The coins, dating from 221 to 354 CE, were likely buried during the Gallus Revolt (351-354 CE), a lesser-known Jewish uprising against Roman rule.

The foundations of the building also contained rare Greek, Hebrew, and Latin inscriptions, including one bearing the name of a Jewish man from a priestly family, indicating the building's significant Jewish heritage. Additional findings included impressive stone and marble artifacts. The discovery is set to be publicized in a new book at the annual Central Israel Region Archaeological Conference, which will be hosted by Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University, and the IAA. The conference will be free of charge and held at Tel Aviv's Eretz Museum.