A gold ring, approximately 2,300 years old and adorned with a red gemstone, was discovered during excavations in the City of David, within the Jerusalem Walls National Park. The excavation is a collaborative effort between the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University, supported by funding from the Elad Association. This marks the second gold ring from the same historical period found at this location within the past year.
Rivka Lengler, an excavator at the City of David, described the discovery as a moment of excitement. The ring was found while sifting soil, initially mistaken for a modern item. However, its ancient origins were quickly recognized, drawing the attention of archaeologists.
Excavation directors Dr. Yiftah Shalev and Dr. Marion Zindel of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Efrat Bocher of the Ancient Jerusalem Research Center, and Prof. Yuval Gadot of Tel Aviv University, stated that both rings originate from a layer dating back to the late 3rd or early 2nd century BCE. The rings were found within the foundations of a large structure, possibly belonging to a wealthy family. Other artifacts discovered in the same layer include bronze earrings, a gold earring depicting a horned animal, and a gold bead, forming a notable Early Hellenistic-era collection.
Dr. Marion Zindel suggests the jewelry may have been intentionally buried beneath the building's floors. One theory proposes that this practice aligns with a Hellenistic tradition where young women would bury jewelry and childhood possessions in their future homes' foundations, symbolizing the transition to adulthood.
Researchers noted that gold jewelry with colorful gemstones, like the garnet in this ring, was fashionable during the Hellenistic period. This trend reflected influences from Eastern regions like India and Persia, facilitated by trade routes established after Alexander the Great's conquests.
Efrat Bocher highlighted the rarity and significance of this discovery. This is the first time such a rich collection of gold jewelry from this period has been found in Jerusalem, indicating the prosperity and high living standards of some of the city's residents at that time.