A cache of ancient Roman swords was found in Israel (7 photos)

A group of archaeologists went to one of the caves of the national Ein Gedi Nature Reserve in Israel, so that with the help of modern technologies find long-faded writings. Almost half a century ago they discovered here Hebrew inscription on the stalactic. In one of the crevices they noticed wooden pilum - Roman spear. Inspired by the find, archaeologists continued to explore a complex, multi-level cave above the Dead Sea.





Archaeologists also found four swords that had lain in The crevice is almost two millennia old. The swords are made of iron, three swords were in wooden scabbards, which were well preserved due to the climate Dead Sea. Three spathas (long swords) and one short sword with ring pommel probably belonged to Romans who were captured Jewish rebels. The weapon was hidden for later use.

Four ancient Roman swords were discovered in a high mountain cave above the Dead Sea



The age of the artifacts is 1900 years.





The swords may have been made during the Bar Kokhba revolt in 132-135, when the Jewish people rebelled against Roman rule in Judea.

"We are just beginning to study the cave and what was discovered in it. weapons cache. We are trying to find out who these swords belonged to, where, when and by whom they were made,” Eitan Klein told the BBC, project manager for the study of the Judean Desert.

Three of them were still in their wooden sheaths



Thanks to the climate, the weapons were perfectly preserved



Most likely, they were hidden by Jewish rebels who fought against Roman rule



The swords could have been hidden during the Bar Kokhba revolt in 132-135