A unique archaeological discovery at Khirbat Ibreika in southern Israel is captivating researchers and raising new questions about Roman burial practices. During an excavation, a team of archaeologists unearthed four bronze discs adorned with intricately crafted lion heads, each with a metal ring handle.
These striking objects, found in a sealed tomb dating to the 1st or 2nd century CE, have sparked curiosity about their original purpose. Were they purely decorative, functional, or did they serve a ritual or symbolic role in Roman funerary customs?
A Burial with Unusual Treasures
In 2018, during an emergency excavation at the site, archaeologists uncovered eight Roman-period tombs. One tomb in particular, labeled T6, stood out. It was sealed, and inside it lay bone fragments, twelve glass vessels, an iron nail, and—most notably—four lion-head bronze discs with rings.
The discs were found stacked in a corner, suggesting they were placed there deliberately, perhaps as part of a burial ritual.
Each lion’s face was carefully sculpted in relief, with slight variations in facial expression and gaze direction—some lions look forward, others upward—indicating individual craftsmanship.
But the most perplexing feature? The metal rings are attached to the top of the lions’ heads, not through their mouths, as is more typical in similar artifacts. This detail may hold a key to understanding their function.
Handles, Symbols, or Something More?
Reconstruction of the lion-head discs as handles used to carry the wooden coffin.
Photo: Y. Shmidov
Archaeologists are exploring several possibilities. The most widely accepted theory is that these were decorative handles from a wooden coffin.
The large, sturdy rings suggest they could have been used to help carry the coffin, possibly with wooden poles inserted through them during a funeral procession.
But the lions might have held symbolic significance as well. In Roman culture, lions represented strength, nobility, and protection—traits often invoked in death and the afterlife. Lions frequently appear at tombs, palace entrances, and doorways—thresholds where protection was believed necessary for the transition to the next world.
Some scholars even propose that these bronze handles may have served as amulets, intended to guard the deceased on their journey to the afterlife.
A Glimpse into Roman Beliefs
The presence of such elaborate artifacts in a single tomb suggests that the deceased was likely a person of high status—possibly a military figure or someone of elevated social rank.
During the Roman era, the mystery cult of Mithras was particularly popular among soldiers. The cult used powerful symbols such as lions and bulls in its rituals. While no direct link has been found between these objects and Mithraism, the inclusion of a lion motif in a funerary context may hint at deeper spiritual or symbolic meaning.
Another theory suggests the individual might have belonged to the Samaritan community, a distinct ethno-religious group living in the region. However, this seems less likely, as Samaritans traditionally avoided animal imagery for religious reasons.
The Mystery Remains
The four bronze lion-head handles from Khirbat Ibreika.
Photo: D. Gazit; illustration: A. Gyerman Levanon; plate: Y. Gumenny.
Despite the detailed craftsmanship and contextual clues, the true purpose of these lion-head discs remains uncertain.
Why were they stacked in the corner of the tomb instead of attached to a coffin? Could they have played a role in a now-lost ritual practice?
Archaeologists hope that future excavations at Khirbat Ibreika or similar sites will help answer these lingering questions.
Until then, these enigmatic lion-headed discs remind us that even after two thousand years, ancient artifacts still have stories to tell—and secrets to keep.
