EditorsOct 28, 2021
A Look at the World’s Most ‘Cursed’ JewelsMajorsDec 09, 2021
Archeologists Uncover Jewels from Queen Nefertiti’s Time
The finds include gold jewelry and gemstones that tell the story of a Bronze Age city in Cyprus.
This necklace was among the pieces of gold jewelry found in a tomb in the Bronze Age city of Hala Sultan Tekke in Cyprus. (Image courtesy of Peter Fischer and Teresa Bürge)
Gothenburg, Sweden—Bronze Age gold jewelry and gemstones were among the ancient finds archeologists from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden uncovered during an expedition in Cyprus and just unveiled.
The New Swedish Cyprus Expedition, also known as The Söderberg Expedition after private research financing group the Swedish Torsten Söderberg Foundation, has been making excavation rounds in Cyprus since 2010.
In 2018, the group discovered two tombs in the Bronze Age city of Hala Sultan Tekke in Cyprus.
The underground chambers included 155 human skeletons and 500 other objects, including gold jewelry, gemstones, and ceramics from around 1350 BCE.
“Managing the finds required very delicate work over four years, since the bones were extremely fragile after more than 3,000 years in the salty soil,” the University of Gothenburg said last week.
The tombs held skeletons and ritual funeral objects lined up in layers, which indicates several generations used it, said the university.
The New Swedish Cyprus Expedition, also known as The Söderberg Expedition after private research financing group the Swedish Torsten Söderberg Foundation, has been making excavation rounds in Cyprus since 2010.
In 2018, the group discovered two tombs in the Bronze Age city of Hala Sultan Tekke in Cyprus.
The underground chambers included 155 human skeletons and 500 other objects, including gold jewelry, gemstones, and ceramics from around 1350 BCE.
“Managing the finds required very delicate work over four years, since the bones were extremely fragile after more than 3,000 years in the salty soil,” the University of Gothenburg said last week.
The tombs held skeletons and ritual funeral objects lined up in layers, which indicates several generations used it, said the university.
“The finds indicate that these are family tombs for the ruling elite in the city,” said Peter Fischer, a professor of archeology at the university and the leader of the excavations.
“For example, we found the skeleton of a 5-year-old with a gold necklace, gold earrings and a gold tiara. This was probably a child of a powerful and wealthy family,” he said.
This gold tiara, along with other gold jewelry, was found on a skeleton belonging to a 5-year old. (Image courtesy of Peter Fischer and Teresa Bürge)
The archeologists found carnelian from India, lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, and amber from around the Baltic Sea, which denotes the city’s central role in trade at that time.
The gold jewelry, which includes scarab amulets with hieroglyphs, signifies trade with Egypt as well.
The team was able to date the jewelry by comparing it to similar finds from Egypt.
“The comparisons show that most of the objects are from the time of Nefertiti and her husband Echnaton around 1350 BCE. Like a gold pendant we found: a lotus flower with inlaid gemstones. Nefertiti wore similar jewelry,” said Fischer.
This gold lotus flower pendant with inlaid gemstones, similar to jewels worn by Queen Nefertiti, was found. (Image courtesy of Peter Fischer and Teresa Bürge)
Archeologists also found objects made of gold, silver, bronze, ivory, and gemstones. Among them was a cylinder-shaped seal made from hematite, with a cuneiform inscription from Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq).
This seal, crafted out of hematite, features a cuneiform inscription from the ancient region of Mesopotamia. (Image courtesy of Peter Fischer and Teresa Bürge)
The archeologists were able to decipher the message, uncovering the name “Amurru,” a god worshiped in Mesopotamia and the names of two historical kings who were a father-and-son team in the 18th century BCE.
This large ceramic vessel, crafted in Greece circa 1350 BCE, is decorated with painted scenes of horse-drawn chariots, individuals carrying swords, animals and flowers. (Image courtesy of Peter Fischer and Teresa Bürge)
“The way that the ceramics changed in appearance and material over time allows us to date them and study the connections these people had with the surrounding world. What fascinates me most is the wide-ranging network of contacts they had 3,400 years ago,” said Fischer.
The next project for the team is DNA analysis of the skeletons, to determine if, and how, the people are related or if, considering the vast trade networks, they are immigrants from another land.
The site of the city of Hala Sultan Tekke is currently on UNESCO’s list of places to be designated as a World Heritage Site.
More on Majors
The Latest
EditorsMar 03, 2025
Drop Necklaces, Archival Pieces Take Over at the 2025 OscarsFrom Doja Cat to Mikey Madison and Selena Gomez, many of this year’s Academy Awards attendees donned drop necklaces.
Policies & IssuesMar 03, 2025
Customs Indefinitely Postpones Requirement to Disclose Country of MiningOriginally slated to take effect in April, official U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents now show the implementation date as “TBD.”
SurveysMar 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Fell in February Amid Concerns About the FutureThe recent jump in the prices of household staples, like eggs, and the potential impact of tariffs worried consumers.
Brought to you by
Have a Plan for EmergenciesEmergencies can happen anytime, anywhere , and Jewelers of America has what you need to be prepared for it all.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2025
AGA Now Accepting Applications for Its Gemological Education Scholarship The application period for the program is now open for aspiring gemologists around the world.
Weekly QuizFeb 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsFeb 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ironhorse Quillwork EarringsThe work of Indigenous designer Joe Big Mountain, these earrings are similar to the pair Lily Gladstone just wore to the SAG Awards.
AuctionsFeb 28, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring With Ties to Witch Trial Judge Up for Auction A metal detectorist uncovered the ring created in memory of Sir Richard Rainsford, who presided over some of England’s last witch trials.
Brought to you by
A Diamond ETF is the Way to Reinvigorate Natural Diamond SalesThe jewelry industry faces challenges from lab-grown diamonds. A diamond ETF can restore natural diamonds' value and drive investor demand.
Recorded WebinarsFeb 28, 2025
Watch: 2025 Jewelry Trends ForecastFine jewelry consultant and publicist Francesca Simons joins Amanda Gizzi and Natalie Francisco to discuss the trends set to rise this year.
TrendsFeb 27, 2025
Model Winnie Harlow Says ‘Yes’ to 3-Stone Engagement RingHarlow’s partner, NBA player Kyle Kuzma, worked with Vobara to design the ring, which features oval and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingFeb 27, 2025
Gemfields Holds Mini Auction for Higher-Quality EmeraldsThe 13 lots on offer were comprised of material that previously went unsold at the miner’s November auction.
Events & AwardsFeb 27, 2025
JA to Host Workshop During Alabama Jewelers Association ConventionThe learning workshop and the convention are both scheduled to take place April 26 and 27 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Policies & IssuesFeb 26, 2025
EU Once Again Pushes Back Deadline on Diamond Traceability The EU, like the U.S., also now will require diamond importers to provide information about where exactly the diamonds were mined.
SourcingFeb 26, 2025
De Beers, Botswana Make New Diamond Sales Deal OfficialThe formal signing of the agreement comes nearly two years after De Beers and Botswana initially announced they had reached a new deal.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2025
JFC Names 2025 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe charity will celebrate Pandora CEO Alexander Lacik and Brilliant Earth CEO Beth Gerstein at its annual event in Las Vegas.
ColumnistsFeb 25, 2025
Peter Smith: Here’s What I Think Retailers need to have the right merchandise, marketing, and people in place to stay on top in a sea of uncertainty, Peter Smith writes.
EditorsFeb 25, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s New Shop-in-Shop Senior Editor Lenore Fedow traveled to Smyth Jewelers in Maryland to see the first of 15 revamped in-store boutiques Tacori is rolling out.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2025
Michael B. Jordan Stars in David Yurman’s Spring CampaignThe company’s newest brand ambassador Eiza González will also be featured in the ads for the women’s campaign.
SourcingFeb 24, 2025
Colored Stone Market Update: Tracking Industry Trends in TucsonDeclining supply and growing demand persist in the colored gemstone market, presenters from Gemworld said at AGTA GemFair Tucson.
TrendsFeb 24, 2025
Renna’s Lobster Clasp Looks Like a Claw, Now It's Patented by LawThe designer’s new patent transforms the everyday clasp into her jumbo “Lobster Clasp,” modeled after the look of a crustacean’s claw.
Events & AwardsFeb 24, 2025
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo to Speak at Annual JVC LuncheonKenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, will discuss the future of diamonds.
SourcingFeb 24, 2025
Diavik’s Production Down 17% in 2024 Sales at the Rio Tinto-owned mine also slid by a double-digit percentage, falling 37 percent in a difficult market for diamonds.
CollectionsFeb 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jade Ruzzo’s ‘Tennessee’ Oval Drop EarringsHeidi Gardner, an SNL cast member, wore the smoky quartz earrings on the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” red carpet on Sunday.
SourcingFeb 21, 2025
Zambia Lifts 15% Export Duty on Gemstones, Metals The reversal comes less than two months after the Zambian government reinstated the tax in an effort to bring in more money.
MajorsFeb 21, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Names New PresidentThe organization also announced its newly elected officers and directors.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Anglo Writes Down Value of De Beers by $2.9B As anticipated, Anglo took another impairment charge on the diamond miner and marketer, which saw revenue sink 23 percent in 2024.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Harry Winston’s Son Donates Fancy Red Diamond to the SmithsonianRonald Winston is giving the 2.33-carat “Winston Red” to the Smithsonian, 67 years after his father donated the Hope Diamond.
