Circlets

Institution

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Object description:

In a natural cave used for burial, eight precious circlets were discovered next to the bones of one of the deceased. Together, the circlets weigh almost a kilogram. Six are made of electrum (70% gold and 30% silver) and two are pure gold. Mined in southern Egypt, this is the oldest gold ever found in the land, and among the oldest in the entire world. The circlets were cast in open molds of sand of clay. They do not appear to be jewelry, but may have served as ingots.

Object/Work type:

jewelry

Cultural Heritage type:

Costume (hierarchy name)

Location:

Jerusalem - Israel

Object measurements:

Average outer diam.: 4.6 cm

Production

Date: Chalcolithic period, 4500�3500 BCE

Material/Technique: Gold and electrum

Acquisition

Staff Archaeological Officer in the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria

Resource

Rights Type:  

Record

Source: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

Identifier: 197938