The cache includes four Roman swords in their wooden and leather scabbards, alongside a pilum head, all exceptionally well-preserved, the IAA said.<\/p>\n
They were found stashed away in two almost inaccessible crevices of a small cave in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve near the western shore of the Dead Sea.<\/p>\n
Three of the swords are typical Roman spatha with 60 to 65-cm-long blades, while the fourth is a ring-pommel sword with a 45-cm-long blade.<\/p>\n
The swords feature skillfully designed handles, crafted from either wood or metal, and leather strips that match the weapons.<\/p>\n
The researchers said the discovery was war booty hidden by Jewish rebels who fought against the Roman Empire’s rule in ancient Israel.<\/p>\n
The weapons were found by the researchers who came to the cave to photograph an over 2,600-year-old Paleo-Hebrew fragmentary ink inscription discovered 50 years ago, which was written on a stalactite in the cave.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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