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.
Related stories will be right here …
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
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
