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  "path": "/science/archaeological-breakthrough-uncovered-ancient-projectile-inscribed-2000-year-old-sarcastic-quip",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-16T20:16:23.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Swimmer discovers Crusader's sword lodged in seabed off Holy Land in extraordinary chance find",
    "Archaeologists lift 80-tonne stones from seabed linked to one of seven wonders of ancient world",
    "Grave belonging to lost Viking king may have been found on English coast",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nResearchers from the University of Haifa have unearthed a lead sling bullet dating back approximately 2,200 years to the Hellenistic period.\n\nThe revealing archaeological find emerged from excavations at the ancient city of Hippos, situated close to the Sea of Galilee in Israel's Sussita Nature Reserve.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe particular projectile has been hailed as extraordinary due to its Greek inscription bearing the word \"Learn\" - a message never before documented on any sling bullet anywhere in the world.\n\nThe discovery was detailed in a study published in PEQ, a journal based in England, authored by Dr Michael Eisenberg and Dr Arleta Kowalewska, who lead the Hippos excavations through the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, alongside Professor Gregor Staab from the University of Cologne.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDr Eisenberg, from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Haifa's School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures, explained the significance of the find.\n\n\"Sling lead bullets of this type are well known in archaeological research from many sites dating to the Hellenistic period, particularly from the second century BCE.\n\n\"At Hippos alone, 69 such projectiles have been identified so far, but this is the first in the world to bear the inscription 'Learn'.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"This represents local sarcastic humor on the part of the city's defenders, who wished to teach their enemies a lesson with a wink 'Learn your lesson!'\" he said.\n\nThe inscription points to the dark wit of ancient soldiers defending their city against attackers.\n\nThe oval-shaped projectile measures 3.2 by 1.95 centimetres and currently weighs 38 grammes.\n\nHowever, one side displays clear evidence of a forceful collision that broke away a portion of the bullet, suggesting its original weight was closer to 45 grammes when whole.\n\n### RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES\n\n\n\n\n  * Swimmer discovers Crusader's sword lodged in seabed off Holy Land in extraordinary chance find\n  * Archaeologists lift 80-tonne stones from seabed linked to one of seven wonders of ancient world\n  * Grave belonging to lost Viking king may have been found on English coast\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSuch ammunition was manufactured through a straightforward process involving the casting of molten lead into stone moulds.\n\nThis simple production method meant soldiers could create fresh supplies of projectiles even whilst engaged in active military operations.\n\nThis made sling bullets a practical choice for extended campaigns and siege warfare throughout the Hellenistic world.\n\nThe projectile came to light in the necropolis area south of Hippos, near an ancient road that once served the city.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nArchaeologists believe it was likely fired by defenders positioned on the city walls towards enemy forces approaching to lay siege, travelling a distance of roughly 260 metres before landing.\n\nLead sling bullets ranked among the most affordable yet devastatingly effective weapons available to ancient armies, and a proficient slinger could hit targets from more than 300 metres away.\n\nBeyond the newly discovered \"Learn\" inscription, such projectiles are known to have featured military commanders' names and city identifications.\n\nOthers bore symbols believed to grant them additional power, including tridents, lightning bolts, and scorpions.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Archaeologists uncover ancient projectile inscribed with 2,000-year-old sarcastic quip used to taunt enemy"
}