Archaeologists have discovered a treasure of 364 gold and silver coins at the ruins of the ancient synagogue in Israel, not far from the Galilee Sea, which date back to the 15th century. Why this treasure ended up in this particular place, archaeologists do not yet know. The study was published in the American Journal of Numismatics, writes Live Science.

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Scientists discovered hundreds of gold and silver coins in two jugs under the collapsed wall of an ancient synagogue. Most of the coins were from medieval Venice and the Mamluk Sultanate, which controlled the region at the time. It is not known why the jugs were filled with coins and left in this place.

The earliest of the Venetian coins date back to the period between 1329 and 1339, while the latest Venetian coins date back to the period between 1423 and 1457.

Many Venetian coins feature images of St. Mark, traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of Mark, as well as Latin inscriptions that can be translated as “To You, Christ, is entrusted this duchy, which You rule.”.

In the Middle Ages in the Eastern Mediterranean, Venetian coins were widely used as a currency. By the end of the fourteenth century, these coins were the only European gold currency used in Egypt and Syria, controlled by the Mamluk Sultanate, archaeologists say.

Most of the Mamluk coins in the hoard date from between 1422 and 1438. Scientists also found several coins from other places of Europe, for example, a silver coin from Sicily, dated the period between 1285 to 1295 years, and even a coin from Serbia.

Scientists believe that the treasure was hidden between 1438-1457 years, or a little later. This is indicated by the study of other finds in this place. It is unknown who exactly hid the treasure, where all these coins came from, and why they were left in the synagogue..

Archaeologists suggest that it could be money that donated to repair the synagogue. Maybe these coins were left for safekeeping by a traveling merchant who never returned for them.. Perhaps the coins left pilgrims traveling to the tomb of the prophet Avvakum, mentioned in the Jewish Bible, who lived in the 7th century BC. This tomb is located near the excavation site.

According to scientists, the destroyed building ceased to be used as a synagogue in the middle of the 15th century, after which it fell into disrepair.

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