Full Breakdown
Roman Marble Busts Unearthed at Binyamina Winepress Offer Glimpse of Late Antiquity
6/17/2026, 2:34:59 AM
Discovery at Binyamina Winepress
Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) uncovered two marble protomes—head and upper-torso statues—in a wine-collection pit of a Roman-Byzantine winepress near Binyamina during pre-construction work for the High-Speed Coastal Railway in June 2026.
Historical Context
The busts date to the 2nd–3rd century CE, the Roman period, while the winepress belongs to a later Byzantine phase (5th–7th centuries CE). Roman statues were typical in elite homes and public buildings, but many were later hidden as Christianity spread.
Key Actors
Excavation directors Eliran Oren and Avishag Reiss led the dig, assisted by archaeologists Michael Sorotskin (also cited as Solotskin) and IAA specialist Peter Gendelman. The MUZA – Eretz Israel Museum will host the first public display. MUZA Director-General Gil Omer and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu have commented on the find.
Description and Dating
Each protome stands about 55 cm tall and weighs roughly 60 kg. One bears a Greek inscription reading “Lycurgus,” a name linked to either the Spartan lawgiver or a 4th-century BCE Athenian statesman. The marble material and stylistic features place the statues firmly within the Roman artistic tradition.
Interpretation
Researchers propose the statues originated in Caesarea, a major Roman port six miles away, and may have adorned a villa or nearby bathhouse. Their deliberate burial—heads down in the pit—could reflect attempts to protect them from Christian iconoclasm, theft, or conflict. Oren suggests the owners might have intended to retrieve the pieces when conditions stabilized.
Official Responses
The IAA called the find “once-in-a-lifetime” and highlighted its value for understanding cultural continuity between Roman and Byzantine periods. MUZA Director-General Gil Omer emphasized the rarity of such well-preserved marble works, while Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu highlighted the discovery as a striking example of archaeology’s public significance.
Criticism
Scholars note that the identification of the Lycurgus figure remains uncertain, and the exact motive for the statues’ burial cannot be confirmed, leaving multiple plausible explanations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the spelling of archaeologist Michael Sorotskin’s surname (appearing as Solotskin in some reports). The winepress is described variously as “Roman-Byzantine” or simply “Byzantine,” and the Lycurgus inscription’s referent—Spartan lawgiver or Athenian orator—remains unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Then, slowly, slowly, the two statues were revealed. I'm still struggling to find the right words. It is simply wondrous.” — Michael Sorotskin, IAA archaeologist
- “These are not statues that would have stood in a local farmhouse. They must have come from a wealthy place,” — Eliran Oren, excavation director
- “It is not every day that 1,700-year-old marble statues are uncovered in such an impressive state of preservation,” — Gil Omer, MUZA Director-General
- “public power of archaeology.” — Amichai Eliyahu, Heritage Minister
Next Steps
The protomes will be displayed at MUZA’s Center VII archaeology conference and remain on exhibit through summer. Afterward, they will undergo cleaning, conservation, and further analysis to refine provenance, identify the Lycurgus figure, and contextualize the burial within broader patterns of cultural transition in late antiquity.
