Archeologists Uncover Sling Bullet from the Hasmonean Period
By Hamodia Staff
YERUSHALAYIM – Israeli archeologists have uncovered what they believe to be a lead sling bullet from the Hellenistic period, which could have been used in the war between the Greeks and the Hasmoneans.
The rare, 2,200 year-old artifact, found in the course of excavations in Yavneh, bears idolatrous inscriptions consistent with beliefs prevalent at that time.
The length of the sling bullet measures 1.7 inches and was intended to be used in an early sling.
“It seems that we will not be able to know for sure if the sling bullet belonged to a Greek soldier,” said Pablo Betzer and Dr. Daniel Varga, the directors of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
“But it is not impossible that it is related to the conflict between the Greeks and the Hasmoneans.
The IAA told The Times of Israel that the bullet was discovered about a year ago and has been studied since then. It timed the announcement for the upcoming Hanukkah festival, which celebrates the miraculous triumph of the Hasmoneans against overwhelming odds.
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