Centuries before smartphones, social media spats, or note-leaving feuds, people still found ways to express their frustration—sometimes with surprising wit.
Even if messages didn’t travel instantly, it seems those living in antiquity still knew how to make a point when conflict flared up.
Archaeologists working in Israel have uncovered a sling bullet bearing what appears to be a sarcastic message aimed at an opposing force.
The find is an almond-shaped projectile—typically crafted from clay, stone, or (in many cases) lead—made to be launched from a hand-held sling in combat.
It was recovered in a necropolis area beside an ancient road at Hippos, a site that later became an important bishop’s seat during the Byzantine period. In the Hellenistic era (323 B.C. to roughly 31 B.C.), the city was known as Susita.
Researchers estimate the projectile is at least 2,000 years old, dating back to around the second century B.C.
University of Haifa archaeologist Michael Eisenberg said the bullet carries a faint inscription that translates to the Greek word ‘learn,’ according to Fox News.
Eisenberg—who recently published the research in the journal PEQ with colleague Arleta Kowalewska—believes the wording was meant as a pointed, mocking jab at the enemy.
“At Hippos alone, 69 such projectiles have been identified so far, but this is the first in the world to bear the inscription ‘Learn’,” he said.
“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!’”
The sling bullet measures about 3.2 centimeters long and 1.95 centimeters wide, weighing 38 grams—around the weight of a small handful of coins—though specialists think it likely originally weighed closer to 45 grams.
Investigators suspect it was likely launched by defenders positioned on the city walls, aimed at forces moving in to besiege Hippos.
“Sling bullets were produced by casting lead in stone molds in a relatively simple process that could be carried out even during a military campaign,” the report said.
And this wasn’t the only ammunition with personality. Other sling bullets have been found with different markings—some naming commanders, others referencing cities, and at least one jokingly inscribed with the word ‘Catch!’.
Some examples also carried symbolic images thought to give the projectiles added force or meaning, including designs like tridents, lightning bolts, or scorpions.
According to the lead archaeologist, the Hippos inscription stands out as both unusual and without precedent.
“To find a sling bullet with an inscription is very rare; to find this Greek word on a sling bullet is the first time in the world,” Eisenberg told Fox News Digital.
“We know of similar mocking or sarcastic humor directed at the enemy, but this specific example was unknown and reveals the humorous local trend among the Hellenistic defenders of Hippos.”
Eisenberg also believes the projectile was fired during an active siege, pointing to where it was recovered.
“The bullet’s location near the ancient main road below the city’s fortifications, in addition to the impact mark on the bullet, supplies a colorful reconstruction of the defenders shooting the bullet toward the besieging forces advancing towards the city,” he said.
The discovery adds to a growing list of significant finds emerging from excavations at Hippos.
Archaeologists have also reported evidence of a Christian care center for older people dating back around 1,600 years—potentially making it the earliest known nursing home.