For the first time, evidence has been found in Lod from the Gallus Revolt, the last Jewish resistance against Roman rule. The dramatic discovery—a large public building in whose foundations a 1650-year-old hoard was hidden—will be publicized in a new book commensurate with the annual Central Israel Region Archaeological Conference, which is open to the public free of charge. The conference will be held in the Eretz Yisrael Museum in Tel Aviv and jointly hosted by Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University, and the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The Jewish public building discovered in Lod. Aerial Photography: Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority
An excavation on Nordau Street in Lod, led by the Israel Antiquities Authority and funded by the Lod Municipality, uncovered a public building from the Late Roman—Early Byzantine period that suffered violent destruction. Its foundations held 94 silver and bronze coins dating between 221- 354 CE, deliberately placed there – hoping to return to collect them when the situation calmed. The latest coins are dated from the Gallus Revolt (351-354 CE). Though written evidence is sparse regarding this revolt, there are texts reporting that major Jewish communities such as Lod, Zipori and Tiberias were destroyed by the forces of Roman Caesar Flavius Constantinus Gallus.
The Jewish public building discovered in Lod. Aerial Photography: Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority
Among the various finds in the building were impressive stone and marble artifacts; Greek, Hebrew and Latin inscriptions, and one inscription bearing the name of a Jewish man from a priestly family, which is still being studied.
The hoard, as it was found at the site. Photography: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
These inscriptions, coupled with the complete absence of pig bones from the bone assemblage uncovered in this site, attest to this building’s association with the Jewish community.
According to the site excavators, Shahar Krispin and Mor Viezel of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “In all likelihood, this is a magnificent Jewish building that housed the city’s elders. From Talmudic writings, we know that Lod was a most significant Jewish center in the aftermath of the Second Temple’s destruction in Jerusalem. Some renowned ‘Sages of Lod’ are Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos, Rabbi Tarfon, Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Yosi HaGalili, and many more. This building, destroyed down to its very foundation, is a clear indication that the revolt was forcefully put down with violence and cruelty and was not simply a local uprising event, as some earlier studies contended. This is the singular witness, thus far, to the extent and power of this revolt in Lod, located in the country’s center.”
Archaeologist Shahar Krispin holds the coin hoard after its discovery. Photography: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
Professor Joshua Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority Council Head, who studies Talmudic period Lod, notes, “It is difficult to determine if this magnificent building served as synagogue, study hall, meeting hall of the elders, or all three of these functions as one. But what is clear is that the building’s size, the coin hoard, and the assemblage of archaeological finds produced by the excavation fit well Lod/Diospolis’ description in both Jewish and non-Jewish sources as a center of Torah-true Jewish life in the Mishnah and Talmud periods. Lod’s role as a leading community with elders continued from after the destruction to the moment when it was cruelly cut down in the Gallus Revolt.”
Israel Antiquities Authority Director Eli Escusido says, “The impressive finds uncovered here reinforce our responsibility to investigate and to conserve Lod’s history and rich heritage. Along with the city’s new exhibition center of the beautiful Lod mosaic, we now bring this building to the general public’s awareness.”
Archaeologist Mor Viezel of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Photography: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority
Mayor of Lod Yair Revivo: “This is an exciting and very emotionally moving find, another link in the chain of Lod’s Tannaitic period heritage as host to the authors of the Mishna and to Lod’s Jewish history. The finds in the area prove that Lod is one of the oldest cities in the world. We thank the Israel Antiquities Authority for revealing our city’s past glory. I believe that now that it is uncovered, this site will bring many tourists and visitors to the city: Lod is connected to its past and is looking forward to a bright future.”
The annual Central Israel Region Archaeological Conference, open to the general public, will take place on June 20 in the Eretz Yisrael Museum in Tel Aviv, hosted jointly by Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University, and the Israel Antiquities Authority. Details may be found on the Israel Antiquities Authority website.
