Archaeologists working in Binyamina have unearthed two 1,700-year-old marble busts during excavations for a high-speed railway line between Haifa and Tel Aviv. The Roman-era artifacts were discovered face down inside a wine collection well, suggesting a potential effort to preserve the sculptures when the facility ceased operations. According to excavation leaders Avishag Rice and Eliran Oren, the find provides a rare glimpse into the Roman-Byzantine period.
Did You Know? One of the marble busts bears the inscription “Lycurgus,” a name historically associated with both the founder of Sparta and a prominent 4th-century BC Athenian orator.
How the discovery occurred
The statues were recovered on the final day of the excavation project, which was prompted by infrastructure development for the new railway. Michael Sorotskin, an archaeologist with the Antiquities Authority, reported that workers initially spotted a glimmer in the earth, which they soon identified as marble rather than common ceramics. Sorotskin characterized the recovery as a “once in a lifetime” event.
Historical significance of the busts
The busts are considered a significant addition to the existing collection of historical portraits found in the Caesarea region, with the last comparable discovery occurring in the late 1990s. Dr. Petr Gendelman, a specialist in Caesarea, noted that such sculptures were typically commissioned by elite residents to signal their connection to classical culture. While the busts were found near the ruins of ancient baths, Dr. Gendelman suggested they may have originally adorned a private, luxurious villa.
Expert Insight: The preservation of Roman artifacts
Expert Insight: The placement of these busts face down in a disused well implies a deliberate act of concealment or storage rather than accidental loss. This suggests that even as the winery fell into disuse, the owner likely placed high value on these portraits, potentially intending to retrieve them later. The survival of such delicate marble in a subterranean environment underscores the importance of archaeological oversight in modern infrastructure projects.
What happens next for the artifacts
The marble busts are currently being processed and prepared for public viewing. Following their presentation at an archaeological conference at the Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, museum director Gil Omer confirmed that the artifacts will remain accessible to the public. As specialists continue the cleaning process, it is likely that further analysis of the “Lycurgus” inscription will provide more definitive information regarding the figures depicted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the busts found?
The sculptures were discovered in a wine collection well at a Roman-Byzantine period winery in Binyamina, during excavations for a high-speed railway line.
How old are the statues?
The busts date back approximately 1,700 years to the period of Roman rule.
Will the public be able to see the statues?
Yes, according to Israel Museum director Gil Omer, the museum plans to keep the finds on display for the public following their debut at an archaeological conference.
How might the identification of the “Lycurgus” figure change our understanding of the social status of local residents in Roman-era Binyamina?
