A 2,200-Year-Old Earring from Hellenistic-Era Found in Jerusalem

Photo by (Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority)

A 2,200-year-old gold earring has been found in Jerusalem’s Old City. The rare piece has a horned animal figure and belongs to the Hellenistic period (3rd-2nd century BCE). The excavation by the Tel Aviv University and the Israel Antiquities Authority brings light to an impervious era of Jerusalem’s past.

Photo by (Eliyahu Yannai, City of David)

Historians know very little about the Hellenistic period. The little that we do know is related to pottery, jewelry and other artifacts found. They do not have any buildings from the era that could help shed light on the people and the history.

Photo by (Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority)

When Alexander the Great died at age 32 in Babylon, Judea was under partial Jewish rule, run by priests and neighboring areas were fighting for land. Therefore, the Hellenistic period is hard to decode for most archaeologists. The Israel Antiquities Authority says that whoever owned this piece of jewelry was upper class since it was found near the Temple Mount and the quality of the gold is outstanding.

Photo by (Kobi Harati, City of David)

Archaeologist will be performing analysis on these findings, including a bead, a house and pottery discovered in the City of David, which should shed light on the culture and history of Hellenistic era pilgrims.