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The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the discovery of a 1,800-year-old ring bearing the image of the goddess of war and wisdom in an ancient quarry.
The ornament, likely made of bronze, depicts Minerva — the Roman counterpart of the Greek goddess Athena — wearing a helmet and holding a sword and spear. Minerva was popular in the region during the Roman period; IAA experts Nira Distelfeld and Eitan Klein said she “was considered, among other things, the goddess of war and military strategy, as well as wisdom.”
How It Happened
Yair Weitzman was walking with his father near an ancient quarry on Mount Carmel when the boy, who enjoys finding interesting stones and fossils, spotted a small greenish object on the ground.
“At first, I thought it was just a rusty bolt. I wanted to heat it up, but luckily I realized it was a ring. At home, I saw the image on it. Initially, I thought it was a warrior,” Yair recounted.
His family then took the find to the IAA, which later transferred the artifact to the Israel National Treasures Department.
What Researchers Think About the Ring
This small ornament dates to the late Roman period (2nd–3rd century AD) and was found at the archaeological site of Hirbet Shalale, on a hill near the quarry. The ruins of an ancient Roman estate still stand there. Two burial caves sit at the edge of the quarry, as reported by Live Science.
Researchers believe the ring likely belonged to a woman or girl who lived in the area. Alternatively, the ornament could have been placed as a burial offering.
The find will soon be displayed at the National Campus for Archaeology of Israel, named after Jay and Gina Schottenstein, in Jerusalem.
