A sixth grader, Alon Horowitz, made a remarkable discovery at Korazim National Park near the Sea of Galilee, a site linked to Jesus’ ministry. The student found a rare, tiny stone, identified as a Nicolo, a variety of agate that was considered a luxury item in the Roman and Byzantine eras.
The Discovery
The gemstone, which dates to the sixth century A.D., was found during a community excavation program that allows local students to work alongside archaeologists and learn about ancient life. Horowitz was taking part in the program, organized by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority in partnership with Ariel University.
According to Horowitz, he found the gemstone just minutes before the dig wrapped up. ‘After three days of digging, about 10 minutes before we finished, I was digging with my trowel and suddenly saw something blue, round and special,’ he said in a statement.
Significance of the Find
The gemstone was likely part of an expensive ring worn by a local elite, said Achia Kohn-Tavor, director of excavations at Chorazin. The presence of the stone indicates that the owner had access to international luxury goods, as it was not locally sourced.
The discovery sheds light on life in ancient Galilee and provides valuable insights into the region’s trade routes and cultural exchange during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
