A few minutes before the end of the third day of excavations: 12-year-old Alon found a rare agate

During archaeological excavations in the Korozim National Park in the Upper Galilee, 12-year-old Alon Horovitz found a rare gemstone — a variety of agate called “nicolo”. The discovery was reported by Israel National News.

The schoolboy noticed the small blue stone in the soil a few minutes before the end of the third day of work. Archaeologists examined the find and determined that it was a rare agate that could have been part of an ornament from the Roman or Byzantine period — between the 1st and 6th centuries AD.

Experts explained that such precious stones indicated their owners’ position in society.

Such stones were popular among wealthy people and symbolized high social status.

The excavations, which involved schoolchildren, were jointly organized by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and Ariel University.

The ancient settlement of Korozim is known not only for its archaeological monuments. It is mentioned in the New Testament: Jesus reproached its inhabitants for not accepting his teachings.

Among the structures that have been preserved at the site:

• synagogue;
• ritual bath;
• wine press;
• olive mill.

The discovered agate complements knowledge about the daily and social life of the people who lived in Korozim during the Roman and Byzantine eras.

Earlier we wrote:

• Mykolaiv opens walks on the Southern Bug
• Punishment for excavations in occupied Crimea: Poland agreed to extradite a Russian archaeologist from the Hermitage
• Rare books and shipyard drawings: in Mykolaiv they are saving the history of the fleet
• From a family house to the museum: a unique 19th-century chimney will be added to the exhibition in Mykolaiv
• The wife of Mykolaiv’s deputy mayor flaunts branded items and jewelry during the war