2 000-yr-old gold earring found

2008-11-10 14:08

The Israel Antiquities Authority says archaeologists have discovered a 2 000-year-old gold earring in Jerusalem. (Israel Antiquities Authority, AP)

Jerusalem - The Israel Antiquities Authority says archaeologists have discovered a 2 000-year-old gold earring beneath a parking lot next to the walls of Jerusalem's old city.

The authority says the earring is inlaid with pearls and emeralds and was made around the time of Christ, between the first century BC and the beginning of the fourth century AD.

In a statement released on Monday the authority said the "astonishingly well-preserved" piece was discovered during excavation of the ruins of a building from the Byzantine period, dating from around the fifth century, AD.

It said the earring appeared to have been crafted using a technique similar to that depicted in portraits from Roman-era Egypt.

- AP