You’d think finding ancient jewelry would be a relatively common occurrence in a city as ancient as Jerusalem, but in fact, such finds, especially of Roman-era jewelry, are extremely rare because Titus razed the city in the late first century AD, and in the many invasions that followed these sorts of delicate artifacts were often destroyed, sold away or melted for the gold value.
That’s why this beautiful gold, pearl and emerald earring dating from the time of Christ is so remarkable a find. It’s in in astonishingly good shape, too. It looks like something you’d see in a Cartier window.
Gorgeous, neh?
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.
The find is luxurious: A large pearl inlaid in gold with two drop pieces, each with an emerald and pearl set in gold.
“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.”
That must have been a good day at the dig for the lucky, and honest, finder.
Come to think about it, how come they never mention the name of the laborer who actually retrieves such things from the earth?
Yes, you’re right, very pretty.
Good point about the honest and lucky finder. It would be the easiest thing in the world to pocket such a small item and sell it to an unscrupulous dealer.
He should get a medal. :yes:
He or SHE! hehe
Hmmm… Now that I think of it, where’s the other earring? :giggle:
Oi veh, you’re right!
You just know that the owner was sick about losing it and probably searched everywhere. Or at least had her servants search. Well- mystery over. Here it is! It’s breathtakingly beautiful is it not? This weekend a black and white photo was in our local smalltown newspaper, a color picture was in the San Francisco Chronicle and I went to the computer to see if it was on one of my favorite blogs and voila! Thank you Livius.
Oh garsh, it’s my pleasure, donchaknow. :blush:
A nice, big color picture is a must on a story like this. I wouldn’t even post about it if we didn’t have a chance to ooh and aah over the pretty.
I actually like that earig myself. I can see my wife wearing it to some social event in the neighborhood.
Maybe jewelry companies should think about mass-producing exact replicas of such finds in exact detail?
I would love to make a gift of it to my wife.
That is a great idea. Historical revival styles have been popular for centuries. Why not exact replicas?