El-Jai cave
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El-Jai cave is a sizable karstic cave located in a cliff within the northern Judaean Desert, in the modern-day West Bank.
The El-Jai cave served as a refuge cave for Jewish rebels during the late phase of the Bar Kokhba revolt, around 135 CE.[1][2] A collection of 16 coins was discovered within the cave, with most seem to have been deposited towards the end of the revolt. Among these, were four Bar Kokhba coins and two Aelia Capitolina coins featuring Hadrian and Sabina.[1][3] This discovery supported Cassius Dio's historical timeline over Eusebius's, affirming that the Romans established the colony of Aelia Capitolina over the ruins of Jerusalem prior to the revolt, rather than afterward.[2] Additionally, it suggested that coin minting in the new colony commenced before the end of the revolt.[1][2]
Geography
Research history
Research on the cave commenced in June 1881 with a survey conducted by the Survey of Western Palestine team. A further survey was undertaken by Uri Dinur in the mid-1980s, although no Roman-era artifacts were discovered at that time.[1]
In February 1997, archaeological looting prompted further investigation, leading to the discovery of pottery shards and fragments of glass vessels dating to the Bar Kokhba revolt period. In January 1998, a thorough survey by Hanan Eshel and Boaz Zissu employing a metal detector yielded sixteen coins.[1]
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