The forged "artifact" was discovered earlier this week after a foreign researcher left it behind at the excavation site last summer.
Darius the Great is the father of King Ahasuerus, also known as the biblical Achashverosh from the story of Purim • Discovery was made by the international media adviser to President Isaac Herzog
According to a release from the Israel Antiquities Authority, the family noticed a small clay face in the ground, which appeared to be looking up at them.
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