Four rare, 1,900-year-old rare bronze discs decorated with lion heads that were uncovered in central Israel in the last decade offer evidence of Roman-period burial culture and belief in the afterlife, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Thursday.
The ornate discs, which were found in a grave during a 2018 excavation at Khirbat Ibreika in the Sharon region, were probably intended to be used to help carry a coffin, the state-run archaeological body said.
“Tracing the lion as a symbol in the ancient world reveals that in many cultures, it represented strength, protection and nobility,” stated excavation directors Elie Haddad and Elisheva Zwiebel.
The archaeologists added that while they don’t have enough evidence to associate the lions with a particular religion, the reasonable assumption is that the finds were from a pagan burial, with the fancy, elaborate discs clearly reflecting the individual’s high status.
Similar discs have been discovered in several other places in Israel, such as in Netanya and Tel Dor, mostly in a burial context.
“For thousands of years, lions have symbolized bravery and courage,” said IAA director Eli Escusido, noting that “it is not by chance” that Israel had named its operation against Iran, launched on June 13, “Operation Rising Lion.” The Hebrew version, “A nation will arise like a lion” is taken from the Bible (Numbers 23:24).
The results of the find have now been published in the IAA’s archaeological journal.