2,300-Yr-Old Gold Ring Found in the Ancient Heart of Jerusalem, Could Be Linked to ‘The Ark of the Covenant'

The riches of Jerusalem were underestimated by experts, as new revelations proved its wealth to be much more than thought before. An elegant set of gold rings with red gemstones was found beneath the floor of a Hellenistic structure in Jerusalem. The announcement was made by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and the City of David, as per The Times of Israel. This ring completed a set, as it was similar to another one that was found a year ago in the same region. It was discovered a few steps away from the ancient temple that housed the Ark of the Covenant, in the Givati Parking Lot excavation of the Jerusalem Walls National Park.

Researchers hypothesized that the owner was likely wealthy; however, they did not know if they were wealthy Judaeans, Greek elites, or both. The artifacts were found in the same layer of the ground, which suggested that they were buried deliberately, according to Archaeology News Online Magazine. “One of the possibilities now being examined is that the jewelry was in the context of the execution of a well-known Hellenistic period custom in which betrothed women would bury jewelry and other childhood objects in the house foundations as a symbol of the transition from childhood to adulthood,” Dr. Marion Zindel explained after studying the find.

Archaeologists also found a hoard of jewelry, including bronze earrings, a decorated gold bead, and a gold earring with the image of a horned animal. This showed the rich livelihood and high standard of living of the city’s residents. “This is ‘Jerusalem of Gold’ in its truest, most tangible form, an enduring legacy uncovered beneath our very feet,” Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, stated, as per the New York Post. The researchers also hoped to discover if the jewelry had any connection to the temple but were short of data on the same. The style and shape of the ring also reflected a cultural history, as it was typical of Hellenistic fashion trends.

"We sifted the dirt through a sieve, right near the excavation area, and suddenly Ben, who works with me, pulls a gold ring out of the dirt," Rivka Lengler, a City of David excavator, stated about the surprise of the find, according to Live Science. "At first, he was sure it must be a modern item dropped by one of our excavators, but when I examined the ring, I immediately assessed it as something ancient," they added. All the artifacts found from one region and beneath a single house structure indicated a long-standing tradition. The possession of gold jewelry with a red precious stone was influenced by the fashion trends of Eastern countries like India and Persia.

This exchange of cultural influences was the result of the conquests of Alexander the Great, which opened various trade routes. “This is the first time such a significant collection of Hellenistic gold jewelry has been found in Jerusalem,” stated Efrat Bocher, the excavation manager, as per MailOnline. The City of David was established by King David, who brought a sacred, gold-covered wooden chest to the city. It was believed that this chest, the Ark of the Covenant, held the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God. However, it disappeared from Jerusalem, and experts hoped that these recent encounters with valuable finds would reveal the chest to them.