A wooden box containing 15 silver coins that serve as proof of the Hanukkah story of the Maccabees - which was found recently during an excavation in the Negev Desert - will be put on display at the Hasmonean Museum in Modi'in in honor of Israel's heritage week, set to be marked over the holiday of Hanukkah, which begins on Sunday.

The coins, dating back to the years leading up to the Maccabean revolt around 2,200 years ago, were discovered in the Wadi Muraabat Caves in Nahal Darga in May of this year during an excavation project in the Judean Desert caves.

The excavation was carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in collaboration with the Jerusalem and Heritage Ministry in March-May 2022. Among the many finds, an ancient wooden box was uncovered inside one of the caves.

Upon opening the box, the team of archaeologists discovered that the top half of the box was filled with loose soil, with small stones pressed into the underside of the rim. Underneath the soil, a large piece of purple woolen cloth covered 15 silver coins, each one protected by a layer of wool.

The IAA reported that the uniform group of silver tetradrachm coins was minted by Ptolemy VI, king of Egypt, who reigned at the same time as his uncle - Antiochus IV - reigned over the Seleucid Empire. The three earliest coins in the hoard were minted in 176 BCE, while the later coin in the hoard dates from 171-170 BCE. One of the coins featured a handwritten engraving of the name "Shalmai" in Aramaic script.

In Jewish tradition, Antiochus is the king who the Maccabees fought against during the story of Hanukkah.

To read the complete article, see:
2,200-year-old coins proving Hanukkah story of Maccabees found in Israel(https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-724728)

To read the complete articles, see:
Ancient coins unearthed in desert cave could point to evidence of Maccabean revolt(https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ancient-coins-unearthed-in-desert-cave-could-point-to-evidence-of-maccabean-revolt/ar-AA15e4uv)
Ancient coins from Maccabean period discovered(https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/archeology/1670930475-ancient-coins-from-maccabean-period-discovered)
2,200-year-old coin hoard gives hard proof of Book of Maccabees, say archaeologists(https://www.timesofisrael.com/2200-year-old-coin-hoard-gives-hard-proof-of-book-of-maccabees-say-archaeologists/)