Yoav Lerer News Today

Ancient gold coins date the Banias site to before the Muslim conquest of Byzantine Palestine in 635 CE.

Whoever hid the gold coins between the stones of the wall probably fled the city, fearing invasion. Perhaps ...

Archaeologists found the 44 Byzantine-era coins during excavations in the Golan Heights

The 44 gold coins were likely hidden in haste as Muslims took control of an area that was a Christian settlement at the time.

Experts say the hidden coins provide evidence for a dramatic moment in the history of the region — the Muslim conquest of parts of the Byzantine Empire.

And other stories from the stranger side of life

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has announced the discovery of 44 pure gold Byzantine Era coins during an excavation at the historic Banias site, now a national park, in northern Israel. The coins were minted in the 7th Century by Byzantine Emperors Phocas and Heraclius, and were probably hidden before the Muslim Conquest of Palestine in 635 AD.

The gold coin hoard discovered in a wall in Israel tells the story of a hyper-violent era during the Muslim conquest of the Holy Land 1,400 years ago.

Original owner of treasure likely feared invading Umayyad warriors, and did not return for hidden wealth - Click the link for more details.

44 pieces found hidden in base of wall at Banias archaeological site, assessed to have been stored by owner fleeing invaders with the hope of one day recovering treasure