27. A farmer finds a statuette of an ancient goddess that dates back 4,500 years
Location: Gaza Strip, Palestine
2022 Year Found:
Est. Unknown Value
A farmer in Gaza found a limestone statue of Anat, the ancient Canaan Goddess, while working on his land. According to Canaanite legend, the 4,500-year old deity was the Goddess of Beauty, Love, and War. Nidal Abu Eide, the farmer, told NBC News he knew immediately that the statue was significant because it had “an inscription of a serpent” on its face.
According to legend, the goddess wore a snake as a symbol of strength and invisibility. Some historians believe Anat was the inspiration for Athena, a Greek goddess of war who is often depicted with snake imagery.
28. Ancient Roman Coins Discovered in Japanese Castle Ruins
Location: Okinawa (Japan)
2016 Year Discovered
Est. Value: $10,000-$100,000*
Katsuren Castle in Okinawa was the location of an unusual discovery: ancient Ottoman coins and Roman coins. Toshio Takamoto from Ganoji was the researcher who discovered the ancient coins.
The coins were discovered in 2016, even though the excavations at Kasturen began back in 2013. The other artifacts discovered included Chinese ceramics, coins and pottery that were acquired via trade with China. Archeologists have no idea how the Roman and Ottoman coinage ended up in a castle like Kasturen, located in southern Japan.
