Monday, November 10, 2008

Ancient earring brings "Jerusalem of gold" to life


2,000-year-old gold earring found in Jerusalem -Shawna Ohm

Israeli archeologists have discovered a 2,000-year-old gold earring [pictured above] beneath a parking lot next to the walls of Jerusalem's old city, the Israel Antiquities Authority said.

The discovery dates back to the time of Christ, during the Roman period, said Doron Ben-Ami, director of excavation. The piece was found in a Byzantine structure built several centuries after the jeweled earring was made, showing it was likely passed down through generations, he said.

It must have belonged to someone of the elite in Jerusalem," Ben-Ami said. "Such a precious item, it couldn't be one of just ordinary people." [T]he piece of jewelry was "astonishingly well-preserved." Finds from the Roman period are rare in Jerusalem because the city was destroyed by the Roman Empire in the first century A.D.

"It adds to the visual history of Jerusalem," Gibson added, saying it brings attention to the life of women in antiquity.
[Associated Press]
[Hat Tip: LHWrites]

3 comments:

LHwrites said...

I was very impressed by this. It is detailed and beautiful and impressive for such a long time ago. We are assuming of course, that women wore it.

Bruce said...

Dear LHWrites,
Thankx for the heads up on this one. It's a wonderful post care of your careful surfing.
Bruce

LHwrites said...

Always a pleasure to help out the finest blog the Middle East has going for it!