Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Tel Aviv University have unearthed about four hundred Byzantine coins, two hundred Samaritan lamps, an ancient ring with an inscription and gold jewelry in a Byzantine period refuse pit at the archaeological site of the ancient city of Apollonia-Arsuf.

“The most intriguing find in the area is a number of Byzantine refuse pits. One of them is especially large – more than 30 m in diameter – and contained fragments of pottery vessels, fragments of glass vessels, industrial glass waste and animal bones,” explained Prof Oren Tal of the Tel Aviv University and Dr Moshe Ajami of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

“In the midst of the many shreds that were discovered in the big refuse pit was a large amount of usable artifacts, whose presence in the pit raises questions.”

According to the archaeological team, the majority of finds date to the 5th – 7th centuries CE.

“Among other things, more than four hundred coins were found which are mostly Byzantine, including one gold coin, as well as two hundred whole and intact Samaritan lamps, rings and gold jewelry,” the archaeologists said.

“Noteworthy among the jewelry is an octagonal ring with parts of verses from the Samaritan Pentateuch engraved in Samaritan script on each of its sides. One side reads: “Adonai is his name,” another side: “One God, and so on.”

During many periods the site served as the agricultural hinterland of Apollonia-Arsuf. Archaeological excavations indicate that the site was inhabited continuously for more than 1,500 years – from the Persian period (late 6th century BC) until the end of the Crusader period (13th century CE).