Evidence of agricultural and industrial activity was uncovered in Ramat Hasharon as early as 1500 years ago

Ramat Hasharon will soon celebrate its 100th year, but it turns out that it is much older than we thought. Archaeological excavations by the Antiquities Authority, which are taking place in preparation for the establishment of a new neighborhood initiated by the Sharon Municipality, revealed, among other things, a large wine cellar, a gold coin, and a bronze chain for hanging a chandelier

An aerial view of Geth in the archaeological dig of the Antiquities Authority in Ramat Hasharon. Photograph collected by Asaf Peretz of the Antiquities Authority
An aerial view of Geth in the archaeological dig of the Antiquities Authority in Ramat Hasharon. Photograph collected by Asaf Peretz of the Antiquities Authority

Evidence of life in the Ramat Hasharon area as early as 1500 years ago was discovered in an archaeological dig by the Antiquities Authority in Ramat Hasharon. The excavation is being conducted as part of the Ramat Hasharon municipality's initiative to establish a new residential neighborhood south of the planned "recreation park", which borders Tel Aviv.

Ramat Hasharon has a longer history than one might think. "During the excavation, we discovered evidence of agricultural-industrial activity that took place here in the Byzantine period - about 1500 years ago. Among other things, we uncovered a large winery for wine production that was floored with mosaics, plastered installations, and the foundations of a large building - which was used, perhaps as a warehouse, and perhaps even as a mansion." says Dr. Yoav Arbel, director of the excavation on behalf of the Antiquities Authority. "Within the buildings and facilities we found fragments of many storage jars and cooking pots, which seem to have been used by those who worked here in the field. We also found stone mortars and millstones, which were used for grinding wheat and barley grains, and probably also for grinding spices and medicinal plants. Some of the stone tools are made of basalt,  which originates from the Golan Heights and the eastern Galilee."

One of the rare and surprising findings discovered in the excavation is a gold coin, minted in 638 or 639 by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius. On one side appears the emperor with his two sons, and on the other - a cross on Golgotha ​​Hill, on which, according to Christian tradition, Jesus' crucifixion took place. It is interesting to know that an inscription was also found on the coin simply engraved in Greek letters, and possibly in Arabic as well. It seems that this is the name of the person who owned the coin, who "marked" it and treated it as a valuable asset.
According to Dr. Robert Cole, Head of the Coins Branch at the Antiquities Authority, "The coin contains diverse information about the end of Byzantine rule in the Land of Israel, historical events such as the Persian invasion and the appearance of Islam, information about Christian and pagan symbolism, and about the local population living in the land in those days."

The gold coin that was uncovered in the excavation and has an engraving on it to indicate ownership. Photo by Amir Gorzalzani, Antiquities Authority
The gold coin that was uncovered in the excavation and has an engraving on it to indicate ownership. Photo by Amir Gorzalzani, Antiquities Authority

Another special find is a bronze chain for hanging a chandelier for glass candles. Chandeliers of this type were usually found in churches.

After the conquest of the land by the Muslims, in the 7th century AD, a workshop for the production of glass, and a warehouse were established on the site, among other things, where four particularly large jugs were uncovered. The jars were found sunken into the floor of the room, and it seems that they were used to store seeds and other products, in order to protect them from pests and climatic conditions. "It seems that during this period they not only worked on the site but also lived there, because the remains of houses and two large baking ovens were found there," Arbel says. Among the tools of the period, complete pottery candles that were used for lighting, and local and imported bowls for serving food, some of them decorated, were also uncovered. According to the general findings, it can be estimated that the site was inhabited until the 11th century AD.


Avi Grover, Mayor of Ramat Hasharon
: "I am thrilled by the findings and we have already begun, together with the managers of the Neve Gan North project, to think about how we will integrate the findings into the future neighborhood. I want each and every resident to be able to enjoy and learn from life here in ancient times. These days, we are working on heritage plans for the 100th year. This Adds another huge touch to life here on this earth."


According to the Director of the Antiquities Authority, Eli Escozido
, "The material heritage that we uncover and preserve is the property of the iron sheep of this country. The Antiquities Authority sees great importance in making the findings accessible and in partnership with the community, which will create a human connection through time, between the present and the heritage."


According to Diego Barkan, Tel Aviv district archaeologist at the Antiquities Authority
, "This is the first archaeological dig to be conducted at the site, which was only partially known from an archaeological survey on the ground. The Antiquities Authority believes that this is a great opportunity to integrate the ancient remains into the planned urban park."

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One response

  1. Congratulations on the find. The cross is probably a combination of the wooden cross, the Jerusalem cross and the Byzantine cross. Very interesting anyway. It is well known that the area, despite its certain distance from the sea, almost kissed the sea at that time. And another, cynical comment. Most of the findings from the period do not, obviously, point to a Jewish presence, at least a massive one, in the known areas of the Land of Israel. Every find that is uncovered in our areas is to be congratulated

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