Ancient taunt uncovered near Sea of Galilee as archaeologists find rare inscribed sling bullet

Archaeologists from the University of Haifa have uncovered a rare 2,000-year-old sling bullet near the Sea of Galilee bearing what researchers describe as a sarcastic one-word message to the enemy: “Learn”.

The lead projectile was discovered during excavations at the ancient city of Hippos (Sussita), a prominent Hellenistic settlement overlooking the lake, in an area now part of a protected nature reserve.

According to Dr Michael Eisenberg, who co-directs the excavation, the inscription represents a unique example of battlefield humour. “This represents local sarcastic humour on the part of the city’s defenders, who wished to teach their enemies a lesson with a wink – ‘Lean your lesson!’” he said.

The artefact dates to the second century BCE and is the first known sling bullet ever found within this specific inscription. While similar projectiles from the period have been discovered across the region, often bearing names or short taunts such as “Catch!”, researchers say this wording has not previously been recorded.

The study, published in the UK journal PEQ, was led by Eisenberg and Dr Arleta Kowalewska of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, alongside Prof Gregor Staab of the University of Cologne.

Measuring just over three centimetres in length and weighing 38 grams in its current state, the ellipsoidal lead bullet shows clear signs of impact damage. Researchers believe it originally weighed around 45 grams before striking its target.

The projectile was found south of the city, near an ancient road and burial area, and is thought to have been fired by defenders positioned on Hippos’s elevated fortifications. From there, slingers could target advancing forces at distances of more than 260 metres.

Sling bullets were a common and cost-effective weapon in the Hellenistic world, produced by pouring molten lead into simple moulds – a process that could be carried out even during active military campaigns. Despite their small size, they were capable of inflicting serious injury at long range.

The find offers a rare human glimpse into the mindset of ancient defenders in the Land of Israel – combining warfare with a flash of wit that has endured for more than two millennia.