A gold, pearl, and emerald earring (click here to see it) has been discovered at the excavation site of an ancient building near the walls of Old Jerusalem. Prior to the excavation, the ancient building had been covered by a parking lot. According to news reports, Doron Ben-Ami, a co-leader of the excavation, said that the earring would have been worn by a woman of high social status, and was likely handed down through generations. The earring has been dated to some time between the second and fourth century A.D. (Roman era), while the ancient building where it was found is more recent, dating to the fourth or fifth century A.D. (Byzantine era). Ben-Ami noted that the earring is a rare find in Jerusalem, because the city was destroyed by the Roman Empire in the first century A.D. He believes the jewelry may have been made locally, or may have come from Egypt, since it resembles pieces depicted in tombs in Fayum, Egypt, from Roman times.

To read about more ancient jewelry, click here to check out editor Hazel Wheaton's post about the reopening of the Museo de Oro (The Gold Museum) in Bogota, Columbia. Or, click here to read one of my earlier posts about jewelry from The Burnt City of ancient Persia.

Enjoy!

—Kristin