1,900-year-old Roman swords have been found hidden in a cave in the Judean Desert in Israel

The Israel Antiquities Authority has announced the discovery of four extremely well-preserved Roman swords hidden in a cave in the Judean Desert.

Dr. Asaf Gayer of Ariel University’s Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archeology noticed swords in a secluded crack at the top of the cave while he and other researchers were analyzing a Hebrew ink inscription, likely from the First Temple period discovered 50 years ago.

According to experts, , people were captured by Judean rebels during the Bar Kokhba revolt and stuffed into a narrow crevice. This was a Jewish uprising against Roman rule in Judea, also called the Second Jewish Revolt, led by rebel leader Shimon Bar Kochba.

Dr. Eitan Klein, one of the directors of the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Judean Desert Survey, said in a video accompanying the announcement: “We are talking about an extremely rare find, the likes of which has never been found in Israel.” discover. Discover. “The four swords are amazingly preserved, including the beautiful condition of the metal, hilt and scabbard.”

Three swords 60 to 65 cm long; a sword 45 cm long. The longest swords have been identified as the Roman “Spatha” swords; the shortest is a sword with a hilt. Preliminary examination concluded that these were standard swords used by Roman soldiers stationed in Judea.