The ring, which weighs 5.11 grams, was found at the site of the large Byzantine-period wine making facility. The person who owned the ring was affluent, and the wearing of the jewel indicated their status and wealth. Such rings could be worn by both men and women, said Dr. Amir Golani, an expert on ancient jewelry at the IAA.
A semi-precious stone called amethyst was placed in the ring. Amethysts are mentioned in the Bible as one of the 12 precious stones worn by the high priest of the Temple on his ceremonial breastplate. Many virtues have been attached to this gem, including the prevention of the side effect of drinking, the hangover. Did the person who wore the ring want to avoid intoxication due to drinking a lot of wine? We probably will never know, said IAA archaeologist Dr. Elie Haddad.
The ring was found just 150 m from the remains of a long warehouse, which was used to store wine jars (amphorae). Some of the jars were found upside down on their mouths and it may have been a warehouse full of empty jars before they were taken to the wine presses, to fill with wine. It is possible that the splendid ring belonged to the owner of the magnificent warehouse, to a foreman, or simply to an unlucky visitor, who dropped and lost their precious ring, until it was finally discovered by us.
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