Français
Español
English
Portuguese
Each of the four discs features a different facial expression and distinctive details in the mane, eyes, and nose, underscoring the craftsmanship and individualized nature of the ornaments.
By Pesach Benson, TPS
A set of rare and intricately designed bronze discs shaped like lion heads has been uncovered in central Israel, offering new insight into burial practices and beliefs during the Roman period, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Thursday.
The 1,900-year-old artifacts are believed to have once adorned the carrying handles of a wooden coffin that has not survived.
They were discovered in 2018 in a grave at the site of Khirbat Ibreika in Israel’s central region during a salvage excavation.
Archaeologists say the items reflect the high status of the deceased and possibly indicate the burial was part of a ceremonial procession.
“This is a unique and rare set of finds,” said Dr. Elie Haddad and Elisheva Zwiebel, excavation directors and co-authors of the Atiqot article.
“The carrying handle ring, which in most known Roman-era examples is connected through the lion’s mouth, was here attached at the top of the lion’s head. This design likely enabled wider and more flexible movement for carrying the coffin—possibly to allow it to be lifted and borne during a funeral procession using poles passed through the rings.”
Each of the four discs features a different facial expression and distinctive details in the mane, eyes, and nose, underscoring the craftsmanship and individualized nature of the ornaments.
Similar objects have been uncovered in other parts of Israel, including Tel Dor and Netanya, usually in a burial context.
While the precise identity and religious affiliation of the deceased remain unknown, the archaeologists said the lion motif raises intriguing questions.
“In many ancient cultures, lions symbolized strength, protection, and nobility,” Haddad and Zwiebel explained.
“Although we cannot definitively link the lion imagery to a specific religion in this case, the most reasonable interpretation is that this was a pagan burial. Still, the elaborate nature of the decorations clearly indicates that this individual held high social status.”
Minister of Heritage Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu said the discs reflected pagan cultures using Jewish symbols.
“Although these are pagan artifacts, they reflect a recurring historical phenomenon — foreign cultures adopting Jewish symbols. In the ancient world, the lion was not merely a decorative motif. It was the emblem of the Tribe of Judah — ‘Judah is a lion’s whelp.’ Pagan societies that lived here absorbed Jewish symbolism, sometimes unknowingly. It’s a testament to the enduring power of Jewish heritage to shape global civilization,” Eliyahu said.
Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, pointed to the lion’s lasting relevance across millennia to current times.
“For thousands of years lions have symbolized bravery and courage. It is not by chance that Israel’s current campaign to counter the nuclear threat from Iran is named ‘A nation will arise like a lion,’ drawn from the Bible,” Escusido said.
The find was published in the Antiquities Authority’s peer-reviewed journal, Atiqot.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
