Israeli Archeologists Discovers Byzantine-era Gold Tucked Under Jerusalem’s Temple Mount

Some 36 gold coins, a gold medallion inscribed with a Jewish ritual candelabrum and a selection of gold and silver jewellery have been unearthed by a group of Israeli archeologists underneath the Temple Mount, one of the most important religious sites in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Eilat Mazar, a Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeologist, said the artifacts dates back to the Byzantine period, or early seventh century CE.

"We have been making significant finds from the First Temple Period in this area, a much earlier time in Jerusalem's history, so discovering a golden seven-branched menorah from the seventh century CE at the foot of the Temple Mount was a complete surprise," Ms Mazar said in a statement.

Like a headline ripped from The Copper Scroll novel: "Gold treasure trove unearthed at base of Temple Mount": ... http://t.co/xX7uq07HWU
— Joel C. Rosenberg (@JoelCRosenberg) September 9, 2013

The discovery, unearthed during summer excavations, were believed to have been abandoned during the Persian conquest of Jerusalem in 614 CE, according to Ms Mazar.

"This happens only once in a lifetime," Ms Mazar.

The gold hoard was specifically discovered 50 metres (yards) in a ruined Byzantine public structure from the southern wall of the hilltop compound revered as the Temple Mount - where the two biblical Jewish Temples once stood.

Panorama of the Temple Mount, seen from the Mount of Olives

Muslims also consider the site holy, calling it the Haram as-Sharif, or Noble Sanctuary.

Temple Mount