Researchers of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University:
“This jewelry discovered now was likely buried then in the context of a well-known practice of that period, which symbolized the transition from childhood to adulthood.”
A gold ring set with a red gemstone, approximately 2,300 years old, was discovered in excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University in the City of David in the Jerusalem Walls National Park, and funded by the Elad Association. This is the second gold ring discovered in less than a year from the same excavation, and from the same period.
Rebecca Langler, a City of David excavator present when the ring was uncovered, says:
According to the excavation managers, Prof. Yuval Gadot from Tel Aviv University, Dr. Yiftah Shalev and Dr. Marion Zindel from the Israel Antiquities Authority, and Efrat Bocher from the Center for Research on Ancient Jerusalem,
“The two gold rings were discovered in a layer dating to the late 3rd century or early 2nd century BCE, set in the foundations of a large building which bears witness to its occupants’ wealth.
In the same layer in which these rings were unearthed, a number of bronze earrings were also recently found. And it is in this very same layer that a gold earring decorated with a horned animal image and a decorated gold bead were also discovered – all dating from the Early Hellenistic period.”
According to Dr. Marion Zindel,
According to the researchers, “Jewelry that combines gold with brightly colored precious stones, such as the garnet stone, were well-known from this period, in which fashion was influenced by Eastern countries such as India and Persia. These fashionable influences were enabled thanks to Alexander the Great’s conquests, and the consequent trade channels opening with these regions.”
According to Efrat Bocher, one of the excavation managers, “This is the first time that we have found in Jerusalem such a large assemblage of gold jewelry from that period. This displayed wealth is very rare in any archaeological layer, and it attests to the wealth of Jerusalem and the high standard of living of the city’s residents during this period.”
According to Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “The discovery of the golden rings from the time of the Second Temple in the City of David is tangible evidence of the wealth, beauty and importance of Jerusalem even thousands of years ago. The Israel Antiquities Authority is proud to lead the archaeological research of Jerusalem, and to make accessible to the public the heritage of ‘Jerusalem of Gold’ – not just as words in a song, but as historical facts uncovered right under our feet.”