Ancient treasure found in Israel
Source: Agencies |
May 27, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ISRAELI archaeologists have discovered a rare trove of 3,000-year-old jewelry hidden in a ceramic jug near the ancient city of Megiddo, where the New Testament predicts the final battle of Armageddon.
Archaeologists who unearthed the jug in 2010 left it in a laboratory while they waited for a molecular analysis of what was inside. When they were finally able to clean it, pieces of gold jewelry - a ring, earrings and beads - dating from around 1100 BC poured out.
Israel Finkelstein of Tel Aviv University, who co-directed the dig, said that the find offers a rare glimpse into Canaanite high society. He said the fact that the jewelry was found in the jug suggested the owner hid them.
"We can guess that it was a rich family, probably belonging to the ruling elite," he said.
Aren Maeir, an archaeologist at Bar Ilan University, said that because the raw materials used are not from the area, the find "tells us about international relations ... at the time."
Megiddo was an important trade center in ancient times.
Archaeologists who unearthed the jug in 2010 left it in a laboratory while they waited for a molecular analysis of what was inside. When they were finally able to clean it, pieces of gold jewelry - a ring, earrings and beads - dating from around 1100 BC poured out.
Israel Finkelstein of Tel Aviv University, who co-directed the dig, said that the find offers a rare glimpse into Canaanite high society. He said the fact that the jewelry was found in the jug suggested the owner hid them.
"We can guess that it was a rich family, probably belonging to the ruling elite," he said.
Aren Maeir, an archaeologist at Bar Ilan University, said that because the raw materials used are not from the area, the find "tells us about international relations ... at the time."
Megiddo was an important trade center in ancient times.
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