Archaeological remains of the Bar Kokhba Revolt in the Te’omim Cave ( Mŭghâret Umm et Tûeimîn ), Western Jerusalem Hills

Abstract

The Te’omim Cave is a large natural cave, located in the Jerusalem hills. The article presents the results of an archaeological survey in the hard-to-reach section of the cave. Archaeological finds, as hoards of coins, weapons, fragmentary human bones, pottery and oil lamps from the time of the Bar Kokhba Revolt were discovered in situ . The finds attest that the cave served as the last place of refuge for rebels who met there their death. The highlights of the survey were three hoards of coins. ‘Hoard A’ included 83 silver coins restruck by the Bar Kokhba administration. It is the only hoard of silver Bar Kokhba coins discovered thus far by archaeologists. ‘Hoard B’ included nine silver coins and a bronze perutah . ‘Hoard C’ included five Roman gold coins, 15 silver coins and four Roman bronze coins of Ascalon. The article discusses various numismatic and archaeological aspects of the finds.