The 1,200-Year-Old Piggy Bank
Israel Antiquities AuthorityThe rare gold coins, or dinars, were dated between the seventh and ninth centuries A.D.
One of the most exciting archaeological discoveries from this year was an ancient piggy bank containing 1,200-year-old gold coins. Researchers in Israel happened upon this find at the very beginning of 2020 in Yavne.
While only a fraction of the container itself was able to be recovered, scientists were still able to determine that it was likely used as a piggy bank — since it held seven gold coins inside. Researchers cheekily dubbed the find “Hanukkah gelt,” since it was discovered just in time for the holiday.
These artifacts are estimated to date back to the region’s Islamic period, between the seven and ninth centuries A.D.
“I was in the middle of cataloging a large number of artifacts we found during the excavations when all of a sudden I heard shouts of joy,” said archaeologist Liat Nadav-Ziv, the co-director of the excavation.
Israel Antiquities AuthorityThe dinars were uncovered within a broken clay pot, which experts believe was used to safeguard money.
“I ran towards the shouting and saw Marc Molkondov, a veteran archaeologist of the Israel Antiquities Authority approaching me excitedly. We quickly followed him to the field where we were surprised at the sight of the treasure.”
The broken jug containing these coins was found near the entrance of an ancient pottery kiln. Even more remarkable, the kiln itself is actually part of a larger network of kilns at the Yavne dig site — and only one section of a sprawling ancient pottery factory.
While these pots were used for all sorts of things, the experts were confident that this one was used as a personal piggy bank.
Ultimately, the Yavne excavation site has proven a fertile area of priceless historic treasures. Funded by the Israel Lands Authority, the excavation effort was launched ahead of the construction of a new neighborhood in the area.
