Archaeologists Discover 1,700-Year-Old Roman Statues in Israel

An archaeological excavation in Israel has uncovered two ancient statues dating back approximately 1,700 years. The discovery occurred near Binyamina, Israel, during preparatory work for a coastal high-speed railway, as reported by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) on June 15. The statues were found in a wine collection pit of a Roman-Byzantine winepress. One statue features a Greek inscription with the name "Lycurgus." Michael Sorotskin, an IAA archaeologist involved in the excavation, described the find as significant, noting that the statues were discovered face down and appeared to have been intentionally buried when the winepress ceased operation. The reasons for their burial remain unclear, but it is suggested they may have been hidden for preservation. The statues are believed to have been displayed in public buildings or wealthy homes during the Roman period. Researchers are currently cleaning and conserving the statues for further analysis to determine the identities of the figures depicted.