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Researchers have made a rare discovery in a nature reserve in Israel—a collection of four “exceptionally preserved” 1,900-year-old Roman swords and a shafted weapon. The weapons found in the Judean Desert Nature Reserve were seemingly hidden by Judean rebels after they were seized from the Roman army. The Israel Antiquities Authority announced the discovery of the swords in a small hidden cave in an area of isolated and inaccessible cliffs north of ‘En Gedi in the Judean Desert Nature Reserve. The swords were removed from the crevice in the rock and transferred to climate-controlled laboratories run by the authorities for preservation and conservation. An initial examination revealed that these were standard swords used by Roman soldiers stationed in the region during the period. About Israel Capital: Jerusalem Currency: New shekel