Scientists found a bronze coin that dates back to 132 CE, the moment of the famous Jewish uprising, the so-called Bar-Kochba rebellion that targeted the Roman occupation. Until now, scientists believed that the insurgents were not supported by the local population north of Jerusalem, in the mountainous region of Samaria. As it turns out, the discovered artefact proves that the extent of the revolt was greater than previously thought.
The found coin was of a propaganda character. One side of the coin shows a tree with seven branches and the words “Shin-mem-ayin” – refer to Simon Bar-Kochba, the leader of the revolt. On the reverse side of the coin, there is a grape leaf and an abbreviated inscription “Leherut Yerushalayim” or “For the freedom of Jerusalem”. The discovery was made during an excavation conducted in the West Bank (southern Samaria) as part of a project launched in 2014.
Bar-Kochba uprising took place in the years 132-135 CE. It was one of the last and greatest Jewish uprisings against Roman rule. The insurgents were so well prepared that the Romans were forced to fetch reinforcements from other parts of the Empire. As Cassius Dio reports, about 50 fortresses and over 1,000 city centres were destroyed.
