Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Roman Artefacts Hidden in an Israeli Cave

By: Ben Campbell | Last updated: Aug 21, 2024

Over a year ago, archaeologists stumbled upon a rare and fascinating cache of Roman artifacts carefully hidden within the chamber of a cave located in Israel’s Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.

The “once in a lifetime” discovery has shed light on a particularly interesting part of history and furthered our understanding of the Jewish resistance against the ever-imposing threat of the Roman Empire.

The Roman Empire

In 27 BCE, the former Roman Republic was transformed into an Empire after Augustus, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, implemented an autocratic government. Essentially, he named himself sole ruler and had the final say in all matters relating to the state.

Advertisement
A map showcasing the extent of the early Roman Empire

Source: Wikimedia

At its greatest extent, this Empire would rule over an estimated 2.3 million square miles of territory. The Romans conquered a vast portion of the known world, bringing formerly sovereign nations under their command.

Native Peoples Rebel Against Rome

During the height of the Roman Empire, their troops were scattered across the vast expanse of their territory. Well-equipped legionnaires and mercenaries were sent to the furthest corners of the empire to squash rebellions and upkeep Roman law.

Advertisement
An artist’s depiction of the Siege of Jerusalem

Source: Wikimedia

Archaeological evidence of this can be found from Africa to Britain and east to Israel, where the Jewish populations launched numerous rebellions in an attempt to reduce the Roman presence in their homeland.

Conflict Arises Between the Romans and Jews

Conflict arising between the Romans and Jews dates back over 2,000 years. Around 63 BCE, the Roman general Pompey conquered Jerusalem and installed a local client king who would rule on behalf of the Empire.

Advertisement
An image of the Israelites during their voyage to cross the Red Sea

Source: Wikimedia

While the Roman officials allowed the Jews to have some autonomy and even promoted religious tolerance.

The First Jewish Revolt

From time to time, the divide between the religious practices of the monotheistic Jews and their Romanized polytheistic counterparts led to conflict on several occasions. 

Advertisement
A depiction of a Roman army

Source: Wikimedia

Religious friction, coupled with the ever-increasing taxation of the Jewish people, eventually culminated in the First Jewish Revolt of 66 CE. This event led to the expulsion of Roman officials and soldiers from Jerusalem. 

Events That Followed The First Jewish Revolt

The Jews formed a revolutionary government that ruled in the absence of the elected Roman king. Soon after, the Roman emperor Nero commanded General Vespasian to confront the Jewish forces, leading many of the latter to fall back to Jerusalem. 

Advertisement
People dressed up as Roman soldiers

Source: Wikipedia

By 69 CE, Vespasian had become emperor of Rome. The following year, he sent General Titus to besiege Jerusalem.

Advertisement

The Fall of Jerusalem

During the tail end of summer in 70 CE, the Roman forces had breached the final defenses of the city and went on to slaughter what remained of the population. 

Advertisement
A painting depicting the Romans sacking Jerusalem

Source: Wikimedia

The Roman soldiers went on to cause havoc in the city, eventually destroying the Second Temple. According to Josephus, over 1.1 million Jews were killed during the siege of the city.

Advertisement

Cache of Roman Weapons Unearthed in Israel

Last year, further evidence of this strong Roman presence in Israel was discovered by a group of archaeologists who were investigating a small cave close to the Ein Gedi archaeological site in the Judean Desert Nature Reserve.

Advertisement
A photograph of the Roman weapon found in an Israeli cave

Source: Amir Ganor, Israel Antiquities Authority

Archaeologists discovered the remains of four well-preserved Roman swords, complete with their leather hilt and scabbards, dating back over 1,900 years, per AP News.

Advertisement

Archaeologists Unexpectedly Discover Cache of Weapons

Researchers first discovered the cave, located in a relatively inhospitable region, fifty years ago. At the time, archaeologists noted a small ink inscription written in ancient Hebrew.

Advertisement
A photograph of four Roman swords on display

Source: Israel Antiquities Authority/Facebook

Last year, a team of researchers from Ariel University, led by Dr. Asaf Gayer, embarked on a trip to the cave to photograph the inscription. To their surprise, they unexpectedly stumbled across the fascinating cache of weapons.

Advertisement

The Discovery of a Roman Shafted Weapon

Gayer and his colleagues detailed the findings in a book, which revealed that they also discovered the remains of a shafted Roman weapon in a deep crevice at the back of the cave.

Advertisement
A photograph of a Roman pilum

Source: Wikimedia

“At the back of the cave, in one of the deepest parts of it, inside a niche, I was able to retrieve that artifact — the Roman pilum head, which came out almost in mint condition,” he said.

Advertisement

The Swords Were Recovered From a Near Inaccessible Part of the Israeli Cave

The swords themselves were also recovered from an almost inaccessible region in the upper part of the cave. 

Advertisement
A photograph of a man clearing dirt from a cave in Israel

Source: Matan Toledano/Israel Antiquities Authority

Three of the four scabbards contained well-made iron blades, each in a remarkable state of preservation, especially considering they had remained in the cave for almost 2,000 years.

Advertisement

The Fourth Sword Differed From the Rest

The weapons’ handles were crafted from wood or metal, and the entire collection was well-preserved, thanks to the cave’s climatic conditions. However, the fourth sword found at the site was different from the rest, the archaeologists explained.

Advertisement
A photograph of the four Roman swords on display

Source: Israel Antiquities Authority

“The fourth one was shorter with a 45-cm- (17.7-inch) long blade, identified as a ring-pommel sword,” they said.

Advertisement

How Did the Roman Swords End Up in the Cave?

After a meticulous examination of the swords, researchers concluded they were of Roman origin. But this posed the question: how did they end up in this isolated Israeli cave?

Advertisement
A photograph of two archaeologists holding a Roman sword

Source: Israel Antiquities Authority

Experts surmise the swords and the shafted weapon were stashed in the caves by Jewish rebels, who had disarmed and stolen the objects during an uprising.

Advertisement

The Weapons Were Taken as Booty From Roman Soldiers

Dr. Eitan Klein, one of the directors of the Judean Desert Survey Project, spoke on this theory in a statement.

Advertisement
People dressed up as Roman soldiers

Source: Wikipedia

“The hiding of the swords and the pilum in deep cracks in the isolated cave north of ‘Ein Gedi hints that the weapons were taken as booty from Roman soldiers or from the battlefield and purposely hidden by the Judean rebels for reuse,” he said.

Advertisement

Pinpointing the Historical Event That Led to the Stashing of the Swords

Dr. Klein explained that the researchers are still trying to figure out certain aspects of the weapons, including who manufactured them.

Advertisement
A painting depicting the Romans sacking Jerusalem

Source: Wikimedia

He added, “We will try to pinpoint the historical event that led to the caching of these weapons in the cave and determine whether it was at the time of the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 132-135 CE.”

Advertisement

Bar Kokhba Revolt

Beginning in 132 CE, the Jews rebelled once again against their Roman overlords in Judaea. The revolt was led by a figure known as Bar Kokhba. 

Advertisement
A medieval-style sword on a table.

Source: Jonathan Kemper/Unsplash

The Jews had become fed up with the Roman presence in their homeland and the restrictions placed on religious freedom, such as the banning of male circumcision. 

Advertisement

Bar Kokhba is Slain

The event is known as the Second Jewish Revolt. Under Bar Kokhba, the Jews raised a small army, which was initially successful in removing the Roman presence in Jerusalem. 

Advertisement
Close-up Photography of Concrete Tombstones

Source: Mike Bird/Pexels

However, the forces met their match after General Julius Severus employed ruthless tactics to defeat the Jewish forces. Bar Kokhba was slain, and the rebellion was crushed by 135 CE. 

Advertisement

Shedding Light on the Romans in Israel

Guy Stiebel, a Tel Aviv University archaeologist specializing in Roman military history, detailed the find’s historical significance, suggesting it has shed light on the Roman presence in Israel.

Advertisement
A photograph of a Roman coin

Source: Wikimedia

“They also reflect a much grander narrative of the entire Roman Empire, and the fact that from a small cave in a very remote place on the edge of the empire, we can actually shed light about those mechanisms is the greatest joy that the scientist can have,” he said.

Advertisement

Byzantine Era Church Unearthed in Israel

Archaeologists made another fascinating discovery in Israel, revealing that they had stumbled upon the remains of a Byzantine-era church in the northern Negev. 

Advertisement
Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the alter of nails on the cross

Source: Church of the Holy Sepulchre/Wikimedia Commons

Thought to be around 1,500 years old, the church is full of murals showcasing the importance of the site for Christian pilgrims making their way through the Holy Land. 

Advertisement

Surprising and Intriguing Discovery

According to Eli Escusido, the director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, the discovery of the site in a desert in southern Israel is “surprising and intriguing.”

Advertisement
A photograph of a large archaeological site

Source: Wikimedia

“The drawings provide first-hand evidence about the ships they traveled in and the maritime world of that time,” he added

Advertisement

Greetings From Christian Pilgrims

The IAA reveals that a team of researchers made the discovery while excavating a site in the Bedouin city of Rahat prior to the expansion of a housing development.

Advertisement
A group of pilgrims sitting on top of a cliff. Underneath the cliff is a beach.

Source: Smith’s Inc./Wikimedia Commons

Researchers referred to the discovery as “a greeting from Christian pilgrims” who likely arrived in the Holy Lands on a ship during the Byzantine period.

Advertisement

Christians Leave Their Mark at the Ancient Church

According to their findings, Christian pilgrims from around the world most likely stopped at the church in Northern Negev shortly after disembarking from the ship. They would leave their own personal mark at the church in the form of drawings on its walls. 

Advertisement
Brown concrete church

Source: Josh Eckstein/Unsplash

Some of the drawings of ships may even resemble those that pilgrims used to reach the Holy Land.

Advertisement

Pilgrims Venture to the Holy Land

A team of researchers conducted the excavation of the church under the command of Oren Shmueli, Elena Kogan-Zehavi, and Noé David Michael on behalf of IAA. 

Advertisement
A photograph of the City of Jerusalem

Source: Wikimedia

“The pilgrims began their pilgrimage following Roman roads leading to sites sacred to Christendom, such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the monasteries in the Negev Hills, and in the Sinai,” the archaeologists said.

Advertisement

Pilgrims Take a Pit Stop at the Ancient Church

The researchers concluded that the church is fairly close to the port, so it makes sense that many pilgrims stopped here on their way to other holy sites. 

Advertisement
St. Barbara Catholic Church

Source: Wikimedia Commons

“It is reasonable that their first stop after alighting from the ships in Gaza port was this very church revealed in our excavations south of Rahat. This site lies only a half-day’s walk from the port,” said the archaeologists. 

Advertisement