Ancient Gold Ring Unearthed in Jerusalem Sheds Light on Coming-of-Age Rituals

A small gold ring set with a red gemstone — likely a garnet — has been unearthed in Jerusalem’s City of David, providing new insight into the coming-of-age rituals of ancient residents. Dating back approximately 2,300 years to the Early Hellenistic period, the ring is the second of its kind discovered in less than a year from the same archaeological site, further supporting theories of its symbolic role.

Excavated under the guidance of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and Tel Aviv University, the artifact was discovered beneath the floor of a large residential building believed to have housed affluent inhabitants. Alongside the ring, archaeologists uncovered a cache of jewelry, including bronze earrings, a gold earring adorned with a horned animal motif and a delicately decorated gold bead.

What makes this latest discovery especially compelling is the context in which the ring was found. Researchers believe that such jewelry was purposefully buried as part of a rite of passage, a Hellenistic-era custom wherein betrothed girls would place their childhood belongings — including treasured adornments — into the foundations of a new home. This symbolic act marked a profound transition from childhood into adulthood, reinforcing identity, familial roles and cultural belonging.

"The fact that two such rings were discovered in close proximity and from the same archaeological stratum significantly strengthens our assumption that these were part of a known cultural practice,” said Dr. Marion Zindel, the IAA archaeologist who examined the ring. “They may have belonged to children or adolescents preparing for marriage and adult life.”

Fashion during the Early Hellenistic period reflected a blend of Eastern and Mediterranean influences, largely due to the expanded trade networks following Alexander the Great’s conquests. Garnets and other vibrantly colored gemstones set in gold were prized for both their beauty and symbolic value, indicating a family's wealth and cosmopolitan tastes.

Rivka Lengler, an excavator who was present during the discovery, described the moment the ring was found: “At first, we thought it might be modern — something dropped recently. But the craftsmanship and the context made it clear: this was ancient. It was a deeply moving experience. You really feel history in your hands.”

Credits: Recent ring discovery, photo by Eliyahu Yanai, City of David. Previous ring discovery, photo by Asaf Pery, City of David.