An extraordinary archaeological discovery in Israel has drawn attention after rescue excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority at the Israel Railways “Highway” site in Binyamina uncovered two remarkably well-preserved marble statues from the Roman period, about 1,700 years ago. The statues, depicting Greek and Roman figures, were found in a surprising place, inside a pit of an ancient wine press.
Archaeologist Eliran Oren, one of the excavation leaders, told the program “Davar Rishon” that the team had worked at the site for about two months. The main feature there was a very large wine press, likely dating to the 6th century CE, and “the last thing you expect to find inside such a press is statues like these, especially in such extraordinary, complete condition. It is a once-in-a-lifetime find.” He said the statues are several centuries older than the press itself and likely date to the 2nd or 3rd century CE.
According to Oren, the statues were probably decorative pieces that once stood in a luxurious villa or an ancient bathhouse owned by a wealthy man who wanted to impress guests. One base bore the name “Lycurgus,” leading to questions about whether it referred to a figure hostile to Jews. Oren said there is likely no direct connection to the Jewish people, and that Lycurgus was probably either the Spartan lawgiver or a mythological figure who lived far from here.
Researchers think the later owner of the press, an affluent man, may have collected the statues as antiquities and hidden them in the press pit either to protect them or because of some trouble. They remained buried for centuries until the final day of the excavation. Oren said the statues are exceptional because Israel is not Rome, and such complete marble works are rare, even compared with similar finds in Caesarea in the 1990s. The statues have been transferred for conservation and will be shown to the public for the first time at the Israel Antiquities Authority archaeological conference at the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, where they will remain on display through the coming summer months.
Oren also warned that using metal detectors in declared antiquities sites is a criminal offense, and that anyone who finds an ancient coin or object should report it to the Antiquities Authority, which may even issue a certificate of appreciation.
