MajorsDec 12, 2022
Archaeologists Uncover 1,300-Year-Old Necklace at Medieval Burial SiteCollectionsDec 28, 2022
Archaeologists Discover 3,300-Year-Old Egyptian Jewelry
A team of Egyptian and English researchers found the jewels in the Tell El-Amarna necropolis.
This ring, believed to be more than 3,300 years old, was one of the jewels archaeologists uncovered in Egypt while excavating an ancient burial ground.
Minya, Egypt—Archaeologists in Egypt uncovered jewelry believed to be more than 3,300 years old while excavating an ancient burial ground, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities recently announced.
A team of Egyptian and English researchers discovered the resting place of a young woman while exploring the northern section of the Tell El-Amarna necropolis, located on the eastern bank of the Nile River.
She was wearing a beaded gold necklace and three rings made of gold and soapstone.
SEE: The Ancient Egyptian Jewels Researchers Found
This ring is decorated with an image of Bes, an Egyptian god that served as a protector of pregnant women and children.
This ring was one of three found at the Tell El-Amarna necropolis.
Archaeologists also found this necklace with hollow gold beads resembling flower petals.
The researchers are part of the Amarna project, a joint venture between the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the University of Cambridge in England. The team works to explore the area and preserve it, recording and sharing their observations with the public.
Built in 1346 BC, the necropolis where the young woman was discovered was the sacred burial ground for the city of Amarna, which was the capital city under Pharaoh Akhenaten, the 10th ruler of the late Eighteenth Dynasty, said the Egyptian ministry.
Originally named Amenhotep IV, the pharaoh changed his name after introducing Atenism, a religion that focused on worshiping sun god Aten. Some historians call him the “heretic king” because Atenism was a far cry from the civilization’s traditional polytheistic religions.
“The jewelry was found on the body of a young adult female,” said Anna Stevens, assistant director of the Amarna project and a member of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge, in an email to National Jeweler.
“We are still doing our follow-up research after the excavations, but will be publishing a preliminary report in 2023. The cemetery is not exclusively for women, but was used by males and females of a range of ages, from infants through to older adults. The cemetery has both simple pit graves and some larger shaft-and-chamber tombs, suggesting it was used by ‘lower’ to ‘middle’ class individuals.”
One of the rings found in the woman’s tomb features Bes, the ancient Egyptian god of childbirth and fertility as well as humor and war. He primarily served as a protector of pregnant women and children and is usually portrayed as a dwarf with large ears, long hair, and a beard.
Another ring, featured at the top of the article, is decorated with hieroglyphic symbols that read, “the lady of the two lands,” according to Gamal El-Samastawy, director general of antiquities of Central Egypt.
The area where the excavation took place includes 25 tombs of senior statesmen and priests, carved in the mountains. The tombs are engraved with religious imagery related to Atenism.
The discovery follows a similar jewelry find by the Museum of London Archaeology, announced last week. Archaeologists discovered an ornate gold necklace believed to be more than 1,300 years old at a burial site in the U.K.
More on Collections
The Latest
TrendsDec 08, 2023
Pantone’s Color of the Year Is Warm and FuzzyThe peachy hue also marks the program’s 25th anniversary.
AuctionsDec 08, 2023
Sotheby’s Sold All Mary Tyler Moore’s JewelryThe 21 pieces up for auction, including Tiffany & Co. jewels and a Cartier watch, garnered more than $430,000 across two sales.
MajorsDec 07, 2023
Lashbrook Sues Manly Bands for Allegedly Copying Designs The wedding band company is also accusing its former customer of removing watermarks from Lashbrook images for its own use.
Brought to you by
The Most Important “C” in Diamonds: Confidence!Without the ability to instill confidence within the industry and directly to the consumer, a diamond holds very little value.
Policies & IssuesDec 07, 2023
The G7’s Long-Awaited Statement on Russian Diamonds Is Here It provides a timeline for the implementation of new restrictions, but no details.
Weekly QuizDec 07, 2023
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
MajorsDec 07, 2023
24 Karat Club of New York Welcomes New MembersThe organization has elected 12 new additions.
ColumnistsDec 06, 2023
On Data: How Are Independents Doing So Far This Holiday Season? Sherry Smith breaks down the numbers on jewelry sales in November and reveals the category that “emerged as a standout.”
Brought to you by
If It’s Custom, Make It PlatinumWith holiday proposals right around the corner, encourage your customers to go for platinum when making the big purchase.
AuctionsDec 06, 2023
A Yellow Diamond, Hollywood Jewels Stand Out at Sotheby’s Additional lots will be offered in the Fine Jewels online sale through Dec. 7.
GradingDec 06, 2023
GIA Debuts Revamped Graduate Jeweler ProgramBy mixing creative and practical skills, the new course hopes to fill the industry’s bench jeweler gap.
AuctionsDec 06, 2023
Verdura Cuff, Burmese Sapphire Shine at Bonhams Several other colored gemstones joined the pieces in the top 10 list.
FinancialsDec 05, 2023
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Down 12% The retailer is still expecting a strong holiday season with improving demand for natural diamonds.
CrimeDec 05, 2023
Police Continue to Investigate Murder of Colorado Jeweler Peter Damian Arguello, the owner of Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques, was shot and killed in an apparent robbery last week.
MajorsDec 05, 2023
Tanishq Continues U.S. Expansion With 2 New StoresThe Indian jewelry giant has opened locations in Houston and Frisco, Texas.
SourcingDec 05, 2023
Grandview Klein Awards Two Scholarships in NamibiaEach student was provided with the full amount of tuition for the Namibia University of Science & Technology.
SourcingDec 04, 2023
David Prager To Leave De Beers in 2024Ryan Perry, who has been with De Beers since 2002, also will be leaving the company next year.
WatchesDec 04, 2023
Chrono24 Debuts the ‘Dow Jones’ for Luxury WatchesThe watch seller’s new index tracks sales data from 14 brands, including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
MajorsDec 04, 2023
David Bouffard to Leave Signet, RJCThe industry veteran will step down from both roles in April 2024.
TrendsDec 04, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: Decadent DecemberTanzanite, turquoise, and zircon are all options for December babies, who sometimes “get the birthday shaft,” Amanda Gizzi writes.
Lab-GrownDec 01, 2023
Lightbox Teams Up With Brand Founded by Former Tiffany ExecThe lab-grown diamond brand also collaborated with the website The Future Rocks on a collection launching today.
FinancialsDec 01, 2023
Movado Lowers Guidance Again After Q3 Sales DipThe company said it is facing a “challenging retail environment” but is prepared for the holiday season.
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
This Pink Diamond Reigned Supreme in Hong KongThe 15.48-carat fancy intense “Pink Supreme” topped Christie’s fall jewelry auction in Asia, while a Patek Philippe led the watch sale.
MajorsNov 30, 2023
Claire’s Hires Former Bath & Body Works Exec as CFO, COOChris Cramer, who also spent time at Gen Z intimates brand Parade, will take on the dual role.
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
Sotheby’s To Auction 133-Carat Yellow DiamondThe stone headlining the upcoming sale could fetch up to $5 million.
IndependentsNov 30, 2023
Frank Adams Rolls Out Kwiat’s ‘Mine to Shine’ ProgramThe retail offering lets customers track their diamond’s journey.
SourcingNov 29, 2023
Largest New Diamond Mine of the Decade Coming Online in Angola The Luele mine is expected to eventually make the country the world’s third-largest diamond producer.
SurveysNov 29, 2023
Holiday Shoppers Broke a Record This Weekend, Says NRFFrom Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, 200.4 million consumers shopped online and in stores.
