Israeli Archaeologists Stunned by 'Deeply Moving Find' in City of David

From the rich blend of heritage, history, and holiness beneath the surface of Jerusalem, archaeologists have unearthed a small gold ring dating back approximately 2,300 years, to the period when Greek civilization spread across the Holy Land.

“It is an unusual and deeply moving find; not one that we discover every day,” the archaeological team said, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

The gold ring, set with a garnet, was remarkably well-preserved when discovered.

Tehiya Gangate, a member of the City of David excavation team, found the ring.

“I immediately yelled, ‘I found a ring, I found a ring!’” she recounted.

“Within seconds, everyone gathered around me, and there was great excitement. This is an emotionally moving find. I always wanted to find gold jewelry, and I am very happy this dream came true — literally a week before I went on maternity leave.”

The Post noted that gold jewelry was not uncommon during the Hellenistic period, following the conquests of Alexander the Great, who died in 323 B.C.

Prof. Yuval Gadot of Tel Aviv University indicated that this discovery, along with others, is altering the perception of historical Jerusalem, according to the Times of Israel.

“The character of the buildings and now, of course, the gold finds and other discoveries display the city’s healthy economy and even its elite status,” Gadot explained.

“It certainly seems that the city’s residents were open to the widespread Hellenistic style and influences prevalent also in the eastern Mediterranean Basin.”

“The ring is very small. It would fit a woman’s pinky, or a young girl or boy’s finger,” noted Israel Antiquities Authority Excavation Directors Yiftah Shalev and Riki Zalut Har-tov, according to an Israeli Antiquities Authority post on Instagram.

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The post quoted expert Dr. Marion Zindel, who said the ring was made by “hammering thin pre-cut gold leaves onto a metal ring base.”

“Stylistically it reflects the common fashion of the Persian and Early Hellenistic periods, dating from the late 4th to early 3rd century BCE and onwards. In that period people began to prefer gold with set stones rather than decorated gold,” the post explained.

“The recently found gold ring joins other ornaments of the early Hellenistic period found in the City of David excavations, including the horned-animal earring and the decorated gold bead,” Gadot and excavator Efrat Bocher added, according to Haaretz.

The ring is set to be on public display in June, the Times reported.