In a remarkable discovery that bridges the present with Israel's ancient past, 13-year-old Yair Whiteson stumbled upon a piece of history during a routine hike with his father on Mount Carmel. What initially appeared to be a corroded green object caught the young explorer's eye, leading to the unveiling of an 1,800-year-old bronze ring bearing the image of a Roman goddess.
"At first glance, I thought it was a warrior," Whiteson recounted to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), his youthful intuition proving surprisingly accurate. The ring, as experts later confirmed, depicts Minerva, the Roman goddess of war, known to the Greeks as Athena.
IAA officials Nir Distelfeld and Eitan Klein elaborated on the significance of the find: "She is shown in typical pose, with a spear and shield, and was popularly worshiped in the Roman period in Israel." This small artifact offers a tangible link to the religious practices and artistic expressions of ancient Roman-era Israel.
The ring's discovery site, Khirbet Shalala, adds another layer to its historical importance. Located on Mount Carmel ridge, this area once housed a settlement and farm in the late Roman period, with nearby stone quarries and burial caves suggesting a rich, multifaceted community life.
Speculating on the ring's original owner, Distelfeld and Klein suggest, "It's quite small, leading the archaeologists to surmise that it belonged to a woman or child. Or, it might have fallen from a quarry worker, or it may have been a burial offering from these nearby graves."
This serendipitous find by a young hiker not only enriches our understanding of ancient Israel but also highlights the potential for unexpected discoveries in a land steeped in history. The ring will soon be displayed at the IAA's new facility in Jerusalem, offering visitors a chance to connect with this tangible piece of the past.
* Haaretz contributed to this article.
Video Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority