A remarkable collection of 364 gold and silver coins from the 14th and 15th centuries has been unearthed in the ancient village of Huqoq, located near the Sea of Galilee in Israel.
Archaeologists discovered the coins buried near a collapsed wall close to the ruins of an old synagogue, shedding light on the area’s unexpected prosperity during the medieval period.
The coins, hidden inside two pottery vessels, include Venetian gold ducats and silver grossi, Mamluk dinars and dirhams, and a rare Serbian silver dinar.
Among the findings are five European silver coins with loops, likely used as jewelry, and an additional cache of Venetian coins and jewelry, including earrings and a silver ring.
A magnificent assortment of 364 gold and silver coins dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries CE has been unearthed at the site of an ancient rural village in the Galilee, providing a surprising glimpse into life in the Land of Israel in medieval times.
The coins were found… pic.twitter.com/BHrgiM0Tg6— Rita Rosenfeld (@rheytah) January 22, 2025
“We do not know who the coins belonged to or why they were left there, but what we do know is we are looking at an incredible amount of wealth in a seemingly small rural village,” said Jodi Magness, an archaeologist from the University of North Carolina, who led the decade-long excavation.
Huqoq’s historical significance
The ancient village of Huqoq is mentioned in the Bible’s Books of Joshua and Chronicles and has a rich history dating back to 3,000 B.C.
It became a key site in the medieval period, partly due to a legend claiming that the prophet Habakkuk was buried there. The site attracted pilgrims, which archaeologists believe may explain the presence of valuable coins.
“Possibly, these could be remnants of a pilgrimage economy that developed at the site.” said Dr. Robert Kool, head of the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Coin Department. He explained that Venetian currency was highly popular among Western pilgrims and traders during that era.
Huqoq also lay along a major trade route established by the Mamluk Sultanate in the 14th century, connecting Cairo and Damascus. Venetian coins were particularly common in northern Palestine during this period, reflecting Venice’s dominance in regional trade.
Uncovering a medieval synagogue
The synagogue uncovered at Huqoq adds another layer to its historical significance. Built in the Late Roman style, it featured multicolored mosaics depicting biblical stories, including Noah’s Ark and Jonah. Researchers date its original construction to the fifth century.
Ancient synagogue mosaic at Galilee at Huqoq- pachyderms among these figures and people in Jewish art – excavations continue to change our history of visual culture #mosaicmonday pic.twitter.com/W1SMl05rKD
— Jude Montague (Breakfast in Shoreditch) (@JudeMontague) January 4, 2021
However, Magness and her team made a surprising discovery during the dig. The synagogue had been abandoned but was rebuilt and expanded in the early 14th century. The larger structure, measuring 24 meters by 17 meters, is believed to have served as a synagogue again.
“This makes it the first late medieval synagogue ever discovered in an archaeological excavation in Israel,” Magness said. It provides critical evidence of a Jewish community coexisting alongside Muslim neighbors during the 13th to 15th centuries.
Protecting and preserving the site
The announcement of the discovery was delayed to protect the site from looters. Now managed by the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Keren Kayemet Le’Israel (Jewish National Fund), plans are underway to open the site to visitors.
“This discovery helps us fill a huge knowledge gap,” Magness said. It is a unique window into the past.
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