The largest-ever known number of coins from the time of Bar Kochba, the Jewish leader against Roman invaders, has been discovered in the Judean Hills by cave researchers from Hebrew and Bar-Ilan universities.

The research team found three batches of bronze, silver and gold coins (total of 120 coins) in a deep cavern in a nature reserve. Pottery and weapons also were discovered.

The cavern was used as a hiding place for Jewish rebels during the Bar Kochba rebellion over 1,900 years ago.