1,800-year-old Roman ring depicting goddess Minerva found in Israeli quarry

A ring dating back 1,800 years with an enchanting engraving of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and war, was discovered by a 13-year-old boy while hiking in Haifa, Israel. Found near an ancient quarry on Mount Carmel, the ring, possibly made of bronze, showcases Minerva in a helmet, wielding a sword and spear. Minerva held great significance during the Roman era, embodying military strategy and wisdom. Yair Whiteson stumbled upon the ring while collecting interesting rocks and fossils with his father during their hike.

Initially mistaken for a rusty bolt due to corrosion, the true nature of the artifact was revealed upon closer inspection. Recognizing it as a ring, Yair noticed it bore an image, which appeared to represent a warrior at first glance. Realizing its potential value, Yair's family handed the ring over to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), who subsequently transferred it to Israel's National Treasures Department.

Experts believe that the small ring, likely crafted during the Late Roman period (2nd to 3rd centuries A.D.), may have belonged to a woman or girl. The ring was found at the Khirbet Shalala archaeological site, situated on a hilltop near the ancient quarry. The site encompasses the remains of a Roman-period farmstead and features two burial caves on the quarry's edge. It is plausible that the ring once belonged to a resident of the farm, a quarry worker, or was possibly a burial offering from the nearby graves. The exact origin remains uncertain with various intriguing possibilities.

The newly discovered ring will be prominently displayed at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem, where visitors can marvel at its rich history and the ancient Roman fascination with Minerva.

Earlier, SSP wrote that archaeologists discovered a Bronze Age axe off Norway's East Coast.