Overview

• Archaeologists found 22 bronze coins hidden in a small crevice at the end of a narrow tunnel within Huqoq’s underground refuge complex.
• The hoard was uncovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority and Zefat Academic College during work to prepare the site for public access with KKL-JNF.
• Images of Constantius II and Constans I on the coins date the deposit to the mid-fourth century, indicating later reuse of the tunnels during the Gallus Revolt.
• The subterranean system was first created during the Great Revolt and later modified for the Bar-Kokhba era, with most of the complex excavated in 2019–2023 by students, volunteers, soldiers and local residents.
• The discovery is being presented on Sept. 18 at the “Between Josephus and Eusebius” conference, with a first scholarly report slated for Israel Numismatic Research and site conservation and visitor development advancing.