On May 12, 1960, archaeologist Yigael Yadin, appearing at the Jerusalem residence of President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, announced the astounding discovery of a cache of 2,000-year-old letters.JTA has posted the original announcement of the find here. More on the Bar Kokhba revolt is here and links.
The letters had been signed by the legendary Jewish warrior Shimon Bar Kochba, leader of a devastating second-century revolt against Rome, and had been found high up in a cave overlooking the Nahal Hever canyon, west of the Dead Sea.
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Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Bar Kokhba papyri
ANNIVERSARY: This Day in Jewish History / Archaeologist announces finding 2,000-year old letters by Bar Kochba in desert cave. The letters presented by Yigael Yadin were signed by Bar Kochba, the man revered by modern Israelis — but who led the Jewish nation to disaster (David B. Green, Haaretz).