1,600-Year Unique Bead Made From Pure Gold Uncovered In Israel

And in faraway middle east, A unique bead made from pure gold and dated to at least 1,600 Years Ago was uncovered at the sifting project at the Archaeological Experience in the Emek Tzurim National Park, Jerusalem.

The Bead Was Found In Dirt Removed From A Grandiose Roman Structure Discovered In The Pilgrimage Road Excavation.

It was created using a unique technique that required delicate workmanship to affix tens of tiny balls together in the shape of a ring in order to create one small bead.

Dr. Amir Golani, an ancient jewelry expert at the Israel Antiquities Authority points out that the bead, which survived unscathed, is probably only a small part of a necklace or bracelet that included additional beads.

The find holds distinctive importance due to the lack of gold items found in archaeological excavations, and because beads of this style are not common, due to the unique and complex technique used to create them.

The technique most probably originates from the region of Mesopotamia, where it was known from approximately 4500 years ago.

Similar beads have been discovered in burial caves from 2500 years ago (end of the First Temple period) in Ketef Hinnom near the City of David, during excavations carried out by Professor Gabriel Barkay, but even those beads were made from silver.

To This Day, Only A Few Dozen Gold Beads Have Been Found In Israel.