Spectacular 1,700-year-old Roman sarcophagus found in Caesarea

In a remarkable discovery hailed as a first of its kind in Israel, archaeologists have unearthed a rare Roman-era marble sarcophagus in Caesarea, adorned with an extraordinary mythological scene depicting a wine-drinking contest between Dionysus, the god of wine, and the heroic Heracles.

The sarcophagus, dated to around 1,700 years ago, was uncovered during excavations led by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), in collaboration with the Caesarea Development Corporation. “It was like something out of a movie,” said archaeologists Nohar Shahar and Shani Amit, who described the moment the marble first emerged from the sand. “As we cleared more and more, we couldn’t believe our eyes—figures, animals, trees… and then, the climax: an entire, intact side showing Heracles reclined on a lion’s skin, raising a cup.”

Once excavated, the broken sarcophagus was carefully transported to IAA conservation experts, where it was cleaned, restored, and reassembled by a team led by Solomon Gavriel, Ilya Armanovsky, Gadmo Vajpo, and architect Ido Rosental. The fully restored artwork revealed a vibrant procession surrounding Dionysus, including satyrs, maenads, Hermes, Pan, lions, and tigers, symbols of revelry and divine passage.

“This is the first time this specific drinking contest motif appears on a burial coffin in our region,” said Shahar. “While Dionysian processions are known from Roman mosaics in places like Zippori and Antioch, this sarcophagus transforms the scene into a reflection on death, not as an end, but as a joyful transition to the afterlife.”

And the winner of the legendary drinking contest? Heracles, shown collapsed and unable to stand, leaves no doubt: Dionysus prevailed.

Researchers also noted the sarcophagus was discovered outside Caesarea’s main city walls, hinting at a previously unknown, wider zone of Roman-era activity rich with potential archaeological finds.