Ancient Statues Emerge from Israeli Winepress

Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered two remarkable marble statues dating back approximately 1,700 years. The discovery was made near Binyamina during excavation work for a new coastal high-speed railway. These ancient figures were found within the wine collection pit of a Roman-Byzantine winepress.

One of the statues features a Greek inscription bearing the name "Lycurgus," which has sparked significant research interest. Experts believe this inscription might allude to either Lycurgus of Sparta or Lycurgus of Athens, though further study is ongoing. The statues were discovered deliberately laid face down, indicating they were likely buried when the winepress ceased operation, possibly to protect them.

This finding marks a significant archaeological event, being the first discovery of its kind in the region in about three decades. It is speculated that such statues would have adorned public spaces or affluent residences during the Roman era, serving as a cultural link to antiquity. Researchers are currently undertaking the delicate process of cleaning and conserving the statues to aid in their identification and analysis.