Ancient jewelry found in 3,000-year-old vessel

Published on May 23rd, 2012 | by Sevaan Franks

Archaeologists working at Tel Megiddo in northern Israel have unearthed a vessel containing a collection of gold and silver jewelry.

The researchers believe that the collection, which was discovered in the remains of a private home in the northern part of Megiddo, belongs to a time period called “Iron I,” and that at least some of the pieces could have originated in nearby Egypt. Some of the materials and designs featured in the jewelry, including beads made from carnelian stone, are consistent with Egyptian designs from the same period, notes Ph.D. candidate Eran Arie, who supervises the area where the hoard was found.

When the researchers removed the ceramic jug from the excavation site, they had no idea there was jewelry hidden within. The jewelry was well preserved and wrapped in textiles, but the circumstances surrounding it are mysterious. According to Prof. Finkelstein, it is likely that the jug was not the jewelry’s normal storage place. “It’s clear that people tried to hide the collection, and for some reason they were unable to come back to pick it up.” The owners could have perished or been forced to flee, he says. Prof. Ussishkin believes that it was the jewelry collection of the Canaanite woman who lived in the house.

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Story: Physorg | Photo: American Friends of Tel Aviv University

Tags: Gold, Israel, Jewelry, Silver, Tel Megiddo, Vessels