A remarkable archaeological discovery has shed new light on the burial culture and beliefs of ancient Romans in Israel, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) recently reported.
Four rare bronze discs shaped like lion heads, from the first to second centuries CE, were unearthed in a salvage excavation at the Eyal interchange in the Sharon region in 2018.
The IAA has now published its researchers’ analysis of that discovery in its open access ‘Atiqot journal (#117).
The bronze discs likely embellished the carrying handles of a wooden coffin, which was not preserved, according to excavation directors Dr. Elie Haddad and Elisheva Zwiebel.
The unique design of the discs, with the carrying handle ring attached to the top of the lion’s head, suggests that they were intended to facilitate the transportation of the coffin during burial processions, they said.
The lion heads are intricately designed, with each face bearing a different expression and distinct features.
“Similar discs were discovered in several other places in Israel, such as in Netanya and Tel Dor – most of them found in a distinct burial context,” the researchers said.
The discovery raises questions about the identity and affiliation of the deceased. The lion symbol was associated with strength, protection, and nobility in ancient cultures, and it is a reasonable assumption that this is a pagan burial, the report said.
“The fancy, elaborate discs clearly reflect this individual’s high status,” the researchers said.
Lions are a historic symbol of bravery, courage
IAA Director-General Eli Escusido said lions have symbolized bravery and courage for thousands of years.
According to Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, “The discovery of the lion plaques offers us a compelling historical lesson. Although these are pagan artifacts, they reflect a recurring phenomenon throughout history – foreign cultures adopting ancient Jewish symbols.
Pagan cultures that previously dwelled within Israel and the surrounding land recognized and were influenced by the power of Jewish symbolism, regardless of whether they acknowledged it, he said.
“This is a phenomenon we observe throughout history: The world is shaped by Jewish values, symbols, and heritage – sometimes even unknowingly,” Eliyahu said. “Western civilization as a whole is founded upon values rooted in the Bible and Jewish tradition.”
The IAA is the custodian of the discs, which it said would be preserved for future generations.