2024 Jewelry & Treasure Discoveries That Made News Headlines

Ancient Tomb Unveiled Near Luxor with Exquisite Jewelry

Archaeologists from Egypt and the U.S. discovered a Middle Kingdom tomb near Luxor’s South Asasif necropolis, containing 11 sealed burials, including coffins of a multigenerational family. Intact treasures included amethyst necklaces, agate beads, and copper mirrors, alongside an important figurine find. Despite ancient flood damage to wooden coffins, this discovery sheds light on burial practices and craftsmanship during Egypt’s 12th and 13th Dynasties.

(Photo by CBS News)

(Photo by Archaeology News)

Elite Burial Jewelry Unearthed in Crimea’s Mangup Plateau

Archaeologists at the Almalyk-Dere necropolis on Crimea’s Mangup Plateau uncovered exquisite gold and silver jewelry, including earrings, fibulas, and appliqué decorations, belonging to aristocratic women from the 4th to 6th centuries CE. The artifacts, combining local craftsmanship and imported luxury, highlight the wealth and status of this elite burial ground within the early medieval Gothic principality of Gothia. This season’s findings, despite historical looting, provide valuable insights into the social structure, culture, and trade connections of the region’s aristocracy.

Ancient Jewelry Workshop Unearthed in Kuwait’s Subiya Desert

Archaeologists at Kuwait’s Bahra 1 settlement uncovered a 7,700-year-old workshop likely used for crafting shell ornaments, along with pottery and a rare clay figurine of a human head, showcasing characteristics of the Ubaid culture. The findings, including evidence of local pottery production, suggest Bahra 1 may be the Gulf region’s oldest known site for such activity. These discoveries highlight the settlement’s significance as the oldest and largest Ubaid-period site in the Arabian Peninsula, offering valuable insights into prehistoric craftsmanship and culture.

(Photo by Arab Times Online)

(Photo by Arkeonews)

Ancient Coins and Jewelry Template Unearthed in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Archaeologists in Plovdiv uncovered over 500 ancient coins and a gold jewelry-making template during excavations near the historic Eastern Gate of Philippopolis. The site, with cultural layers up to seven meters deep, revealed artifacts spanning the Hellenistic and Roman periods, indicating a workshop likely used for crafting. Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest settlements, continues to yield insights into its rich history as a crossroads of civilizations.

Ancient Noblewoman’s Grave with Gold Jewelry Discovered on Sikinos Island

Archaeologists uncovered the intact grave of Neko, a noblewoman from the Roman era, buried with gold jewelry, including wristbands, rings, and a long necklace, within the Episkopi monument on the Greek island of Sikinos. The mausoleum, a rare Roman-era burial site later turned into a Byzantine church, was well-hidden, protecting her remains and treasures from grave robbers. This discovery, described as “exceptionally rare,” highlights the significance of jewelry as an enduring symbol of wealth and identity in ancient societies.

(Photo by Greek News)

(Photo by CBS News)

Egyptian Tombs Yield 2,500-Year-Old Gold Jewelry and Artifacts

Archaeologists discovered 63 mud-brick tombs in Damietta’s Tell al-Deir necropolis, containing gold jewelry, funerary amulets, statues, and bronze coins from Egypt’s Late and Ptolemaic periods. These tombs, believed to belong to wealthy individuals from 2,500 years ago, reflect the elite burial practices of Egypt’s last dynasty. The finds, including gold foil figures for the afterlife, underscore the significance of wealth and status during the Ptolemaic era, the dynasty that ended with Cleopatra.

2,000-Year-Old Gold Jewelry and Artifacts Unearthed in Kazakhstan

Archaeologists in southern Kazakhstan uncovered gold earrings, a bronze mirror of Han dynasty origin, and other treasures from burial mounds linked to the Kangju state, which thrived between the 5th century B.C. and 4th century A.D. The ornate gold earrings, inlaid with turquoise and rubies, reflect wealth and craftsmanship from an era marked by trade along the Silk Roads connecting Rome, China, and the Kushan Empire. These artifacts, showcasing the Kangju state’s cultural and diplomatic ties, will be displayed at Kazakhstan’s National Museum in Astana.

(Photo by Live Science)

(Photo by Turkiye Today)

10,000-Year-Old Jewelry Uncovered in Türkiye’s Sefertepe

Excavations in Sefertepe, Sanliurfa, revealed ancient jade jewelry depicting a leopard, vulture, and human figure, highlighting cultural ties between Neolithic societies in the region and areas like Israel and Palestine. Part of the “Tas Tepeler Project,” these artifacts demonstrate the ornamental practices and trade networks of early civilizations. The discoveries offer new insights into the aesthetic, cultural, and symbolic significance of jewelry 10,000 years ago.

Ancient Roman Gold Bracelet Discovered by Boy Walking His Dog

Twelve-year-old Rowan Brannon discovered a rare first-century Roman gold bracelet while walking his dog in West Sussex, later identified as a military bravery award likely worn by a Roman soldier. Now housed at The Novium Museum in Chichester, the piece offers unique insights into Roman practices and military rewards during Britain’s Roman invasion in AD 43. Its accidental discovery highlights the extraordinary potential of everyday finds to deepen historical understanding.

(Photo by FOX News)

(Photo by The Jerusalem Post)

2,300-Year-Old Gold Ring Found in Jerusalem

Archaeologists in Jerusalem’s City of David uncovered a rare gold ring with a garnet stone, likely worn by a child during the Hellenistic period around 2,300 years ago, showcasing refined craftsmanship and luxury. The discovery, part of the Givati parking lot excavations, suggests Jerusalem was more affluent and cosmopolitan during this era than previously believed, with a thriving economy and elite influences. The ring, along with other early Hellenistic artifacts, will be displayed at the Jerusalem Day conference on June 5 at the Israel Antiquities Authority campus.

Viking Age Silver Treasure Unearthed in Denmark by 22-year-old College Student

Gustav Bruunsgaard, a Danish archaeology student, discovered seven silver jewelry pieces near Elsted, dating to the early Viking Age around 800 A.D., totaling over half a kilogram. The artifacts, believed to have been used as currency, highlight Viking trade connections spanning Scandinavia, Russia, Ukraine, and the British Isles. Now on display at the Moesgaard Museum, the find underscores Aarhus’s role as a central hub in the Viking world.

(Photo by FOX News)

(Photo by Live Science)

Bronze Age Jewelry Cache Redefines Ritual Practices in Poland

Archaeologists in Poland uncovered over 550 Bronze Age jewelry pieces, including arm and neck ornaments, a multistrand necklace, and beads sourced from the Eastern Mediterranean, at a former lake bed linked to the Chełmno group of the Lusatian culture (1200–450 B.C.). This discovery challenges previous assumptions, revealing that the Chełmno group engaged in metal depositions as part of burial rituals, aligning with broader Lusatian practices. The findings highlight the group’s integration into a European metal trading network and shed new light on their social and ritual customs.