Archaeologists have made an unusual discovery in northern Israel: during excavations near the city of Binyamina, two well-preserved marble busts from the Roman era were found. The sculptures were located in an ancient wine cellar and, according to specialists, date back to the 4th century AD.
One of the busts has particularly intrigued researchers, as it bears an inscription with the name Lycurgus. This name was held by the legendary lawgiver of Sparta, as well as the famous Athenian orator of the 4th century BC. Researchers are currently unable to determine exactly in honor of whom the sculpture was created.
The find was made approximately ten kilometers from ancient Caesarea, one of the most important administrative centers of the region during the Roman and later Byzantine periods. For several centuries, this area housed the residences of Roman procurators and representatives of power.
Archaeologists also discovered the remains of ancient baths near the excavation site. This suggests that the found wine cellar was part of a luxurious country estate belonging to wealthy residents of Caesarea.
According to specialists, such marble busts were considered symbols of high status and good education. They adorned public buildings and the homes of affluent citizens who sought to emphasize their connection to the cultural heritage of the ancient world.
The study of the findings is ongoing. Scientists hope that further analysis will help establish the origin of the sculptures and provide more insight into the lives of the region's elite during the late Roman period.
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