Archaeologists in Israel say 44 pure gold coins dating to the 7th Century have been found hidden in a wall at a nature reserve.

Weighing about 170g, the hoard found at the Hermon Stream (Banias) site was hidden during the Muslim conquest of the area in 635, experts estimated.

They said the coins shed light on the end of the Byzantine rule in the area.

"We can imagine the owner concealing his fortune in the threat of war, hoping to return one day to retrieve his property," said Yoav Lerer, director of the excavation.

"In retrospect, we know that he was less fortunate."

Apart from the gold coins, the excavation - in a residential quarter of the ancient city - also uncovered the remains of buildings, water channels and pipes, bronze coins and much more, Israeli authorities said.

Dr Gabriela Bijovsky, a numismatic (currency) expert at the Israel Antiquities Authority, said some of the coins were of Emperor Phocas (602-610), but most were of his successor Heraclius.

Kavan adds:

To visit the page on Kavan's website, see:
Constans II 641-668 CEByzantine Gold Solidus(http://coins.lakdiva.org/byzantine/641_668_constanii_sol_au.html)

To read the complete articles, see:
Gold coins hidden in 7th Century found in wall(https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63122180)
Israel: Cache of 44 gold coins discovered hidden in wall(https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/archeology/1664878425-israel-cache-of-44-cold-coins-discovered-hidden-in-wall)
Cache of 44 Byzantine-era solid gold coins uncovered in Israeli nature reserve(https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-718813)