the very soil of our ancestral homeland of Eretz Israel (Land of Israel), at the center of which is Zion, also known as Jerusalem. B'sha'ah tovah!!

a portrait of someone holding a cross, imagin both symbols on the coins.

Jews built Jerusalem and were its dominant population for a thousand years, until the Romans and the Byzantines limited or prohibited their presence. Then for a brief period of the 7th century, after the Persian conquest, "many Jews returned to the city and formed the majority of its population". Then the Christians expelled them. Muslim conquerers from Arabia a few years later allowed just a handful of Jews to reside in Jerusalem. By the mid-19th century, Jews were once again the city's majority population, though leadership remained in the hands of the Muslim majority. That majority has held ever since. Yet there are some who want to limit the Jewish presence in the city, more who resent the very notion of Jewish sovereignty there. As to these incredible archeological findings, they echo comments by the late Rabbi Hartman in a Montreal lecture in 1973 (which I was privileged to hear): "This is why we dig."

The report states "But as Persian power waned, instead of forming an alliance with the Jews, the Persians sought the support of Christians and ultimately allowed them to expel the Jews from Jerusalem" As the Persian empire was ended in 331 BC by Alexander the Great, a full 300 years before the crucifixion/resurrection of Christ it's hard to see just how Christians assisted Persians in forcing Jews out of Jerusalem. Perhaps they had a very rare time machine?

if you bothered to read (and understand) the article, the gold coins were byzantine, "dated to the reigns of different byzantine emperors, ranging from the middle of the fourth century ce to the early seventh century ce". since the state religion of the byzantine empire was officially christianity since the 4th century, it's no more of a surprise to find a cross on their coins, than it is to find one on queen elizabeth's crown on a modern-day british coin. the last time jews were free to mint their own coins, prior to 1948 of course, was during the bar kokhba rebellion in 136 ce. centuries before this stash was buried.

Oh, my. Please read your history. Makes one wonder about the veracity of the discovery if the other historical details are so badly wrong.

Israel built by Hebrews. WHAT claim do arabs have to claim land and accuse Israel of occupation. Its a lie repeated hoping it will become believable.

I see a few talkbacks confused about the mention of Christians expelling Jews with the support of the Persians. Look at the date. 614 CE. This was probably during the Sasanian Empire 600 years after Christ's birth, not the Persian conquest of Judah mentioned in the Old Testament.

Congratulations! What a wonderful and historic find!!!

Better check to see if this is one of the series listed on the Copper Scroll.

You are thinking of the Achaemenid Empire while they are referring to the Sassanid Empire - both Persian Empires.

For those of you who consider yourselves amateur historians try a little research before you put your ignorance on full display.

are you sure it isn't 30 pieces of silver? that's what we are expecting lately from the treasonous Americans who regard a foreign country's interests above their own

This is a great discovery for archeology. It clearly shows the historical context for the claim that the Jews have ownership of Jerusalem and Isreal. Only one point that I found to be in error. The story states that the Persians allowed the Christians to expel the Jews from the land. The Jews were in fact expelled in 70 AD long after the Persians had fallen from power. They were expelled by the Romans who were also very busy, at the time, feeding Christians to the lions. Other than that error this is a great story.

There is no excuse for allowing this site to remain in limbo, it needs to be opened up and excavated, before the temple is ultimately rebuilt. It is exciting to think what archaeological treasures might be discovered once the mosque is removed!

sasanid persia

treason is defined as adding and abetting an enemy in the time of war. You apparently have a different definition to suit your aberrant purposes

This article is on archaeology, but I will take the bait and address your point. Support of modern Israel has enjoyed bipartisan majority in Congress, White House and the American population at large (in polls) for decades. There was and continues to be plenty of discussion, yet that was the decision made.Given that, if anything, the backstabbing traitor is you, Rob from Boston.

are examples of the "intellects" capable of electing "Twerker" 0Bama as President of the United States.

can you imagine what there may be under the Temple Mount?

More proof that the menorah is the rightful symbol of the Jews. Toss the star of David in the dust bin.

...is archaeological.

I apologize for the profound ignorance of my fellow Americans here. Obviously Alexander's conquest was not the permanent end of Persia as a force on the world stage, as the Sassanid Empire held sway for some 400 years. At one time it ruled everything from Egypt to Pakistan.

I started researching The Star Of David exactly 20 yrs. ago online, when i first logged on the internet. There is extremely strong evidence that somewhere along the line, we Jews have been hoodwinked into using a false symbol as our symbol when the real symbol, The Menorah is our REAL symbol & definitely NEEDS to be re-established/RESTORED as our symbol, on our flag of Israel and in front of all synogogues, temples, Jewish cemeteries, et al. The Menorah is the symbol of the Burning Bush, G-d's FIRST contact with Moses. It is both the spiritual symbol & national symbol of the Jewish people & should be proudly restored to us.

The author states that Persians sought the support of Christians and ultimately allowed them to expel the Jews from Jerusalem. As the article refers to a time surrounding the first temple, did the author mean Gentiles, and not Christians?

I wonder if the Native Americans feel the same way as the Jews?