A Hoard from the Wars of the Diadochi in the Kamun Cave, Western Galilee

Abstract

In 2015 two cavers reported to the Israel Antiquities Authority a hoard of ancient silver jewelry
and two coins from an inner chamber of the ‘Kamun Cave’, a large karst cave in Western Galilee.
A comprehensive archaeological survey followed, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority,
in cooperation with Hebrew University’s Cave Research Center. This article discusses the two
coins from the hoard, and another (bronze) coin found in the survey, and establishes their dates.
From the hoard’s estimated burial date it is suggested that the cave served as a refuge for people
fleeing from the fighting in the region during the Diadochi period.