Gamla III Evidence of fire and destruction uncovered in the buildings are vivid testimony of the drama which unfolded when the Roman Legions captured the city. But the huge mounds of collapsed stones also helped preserve Gamalas remains. Several unique coins minted in Gamala during the Jewish Revolt were found during the excavations. On the obverse of some coins appears the word ligeulat (for the redemption of) and on the reverse, yerushalayim hakedosha (Holy Jerusalem). The coins speak for themselves and clearly tie the Jewish insurgency to the more radical religious beliefs of the Messianic Jews of the north who despised the Hellenization of the sacred city of Jerusalem. The idea of redemption certainly is more in keeping with the ideas of John the Baptist and Jesus than with traditional Judaism. Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Table of Contents