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JERUSALEM (AP) - An Israeli archaeologist says she has uncovered a rare trove of ancient coins and medallions near Jerusalem's Temple Mount.
Eilat Mazar of Jerusalem's Hebrew University says among the finds are jewelry and a gold medallion with the Jewish menorah symbol etched into it. Other findings include items with additional Jewish symbols such as a ram's horn and a Torah scroll.
Mazar said Monday the objects can be dated to the seventh century. She said the treasure was discovered in a ruined Byzantine public structure a mere 50 meters (yards) from the southern wall of the hilltop compound revered by Jews as the Temple Mount _ where the two biblical Jewish Temples once stood. The site is also considered holy by Muslims who call it the Haram as-Sharif, or Noble Sanctuary.
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