Hasmonean period

US returns two rare, ancient coins to Israel following joint antiquities theft investigation

One of the coins, depicting the Temple's seven-branched menorah, was minted in Hasmonean-ruled Jerusalem, while the other, the second of its kind ever found, was minted in ancient Ashkelon.

Hasmonean-era coin depicted the seven-branched menorah (L) and silver tetradrachm minted in Ashkelon during the Persian period (R) which were returned to Israel from the United States earlier this week, May 13, 2026.
Eilat Lieber, director and chief curator of the Tower of David Museum, stands in the site of the Kishle, which is currently being excavated.

Inside the dig that peeled back 2,000 years of Jerusalem history

Ancient and counterfeit coins seized by Israel Antiquities Authority in East Jeruusalem raid, February 2, 2026.

Police seize hundreds of ancient, counterfeit coins in east Jerusalem antiquities raid

An archaeologist of Israel Antiquities Authority displays an oil lamp and coins dating back to the Sanhedrin era which have been uncovered at the Tel Yavne excavation site in central Israel, on November 29, 2021.

Hanukkah discovery: Rare Hasmonean lamp, Second Temple stylus found near Jerusalem


A call to courage: What Judah Maccabee can teach Israel today - opinion

In Josephus’s account, Judah repeatedly stresses that Israel does not seek dominion over others, only the right to live according to its ancestral traditions in its own land.

Israel’s modern soldiers carry the moral continuity of a 3,000-year-old promise.

Hasmonean era 'first wall' section revealed at Tower of David museum excavation - interview

Israel’s Heritage Minister, Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, called the discovery: “tangible and moving evidence of Jerusalem’s might and stature during the Hasmonean period.”

Archaeologist Amit Re'em and Eilat Lieber, director of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum stand atop the recently uncovered section of the Hasmonean wall.

2,000-year-old Hasmonean coin discovered by child evacuated on Oct.7

While exploring the area around the hotel that he had been evacuated to along the Dead Sea, Nati Toyikar came across an ancient coin dating back to the Hasmonean period

 2,000 year old Hasmonean coin found by a kibbutz evacuee, February, 2024

Ancient Israeli coins recovered from Jerusalem archaeology thief

The coin comes from the reign of the Hasmonean King Antigonus II Mattathias, who ruled from 40 BCE to 37 BCE. He was the last Jewish king, his death marking the end of Jewish sovereignty until 1948.

 Ancient coins, including one from the reign of the last Jewish king, Antigonus II Mattathias, are seen after having been recovered from an alleged thief in eastern Jerusalem.

West Bank's Maccabee palaces must be Israeli national park, settlers say

The remnants of the palaces, with their ritual baths and the ancient Hashmonaim synagogue, which King Herod converted into his winter palace, are located in Area C of the West Bank.

 Bathhouse from the time of King Herod, built on the remnants of the Hashmonaim palace.

2,200-year-old coins proving Hanukkah story of Maccabees found in Israel

The coins, dating back to the period leading up to the Maccabean revolt, were discovered in the Wadi Muraabat Caves in Nahal Darga.

 A wooden box containing 15 silver coins from the Maccabean period was discovered in the Judean Desert earlier this year, and will be put on display in the Hasmonean Museum in Modi'in, December 13, 2022.

Greek sling bullet from Hellenistic Period discovered in Israel

Bullet engraved with message: "Victory of Heracles and Hauronas" • Projectile may have been used during war against Hasmoneans

 The word "Victory" on one side of the sling bullet, and the names of the gods Heracles and Hauronas on the reverse side.

Israeli, German archeologists reconstruct Hasmonean destruction of Greek city

The year and exact season of the destruction of the Greek town Tel Iẓṭabba occurred has been determined by Israeli/German researchers.

 View of Tell Iẓṭabba from the north

Galilee fort part of string of forts made to fortify Hasmonean territory

Finds at Horvat Tefen also shed light on the little-known material culture of the Hasmonean period in the Galilee.

 A coin of Alexander Jannaeus

2,100-year-old agricultural farmstead uncovered in dig in northern Israel

Inhabitants of an agricultural farmstead in what is today Horbat Assad in eastern Galilee appear to have left in haste, leaving a “time capsule” for archaeologists to find.

 The excavations at Horbat Assad.