Boy, 12, finds ancient gemstone at biblical site linked to Jesus’ miracles
A 12-year-old schoolboy has made an extraordinary discovery at an important biblical site, after he found a rare 1500 year gem stone while on a school organised archaeological dig
12-year-old Alon made the incredible discovery on school trip
A boy of 12 has found a rare gemstone at a major biblical site – shedding light on life in ancient Galilee. Alon Horowitz’s discovery was made at Israel’s Korazim National Park during a school archaeological workshop.
It is believed to be a Nicolo gem, a specific type of carved gemstone that is usually a variety of banded agate or sometimes onyx. To both Roman elites and Byzantine wealthy households, Nicolo stones served as a clear status symbol.
They were typically set into gold or bronze finger rings and used either as fashionable personal jewellery or as signet rings to seal official wax documents, the Times of Israel reported.
The sensational find is believed to date back to the 6th century AD, making it a good 1500 years old.
Aaron said: “After three days of digging, about ten minutes before we finished, I was digging with my trowel and suddenly saw something blue, round and special. I picked it up and showed it to the archaeologist.
“When I understood it was something rare, I felt really happy and proud. I received a lot of appreciation from my friends, teachers and family.”
Korazim, where the discovery was made, is a key New Testament site located in the Galilee, just north of the Sea of Galilee.
It is biblically significant as one of the “unrepentant cities” where Jesus preached and performed miracles, but ultimately condemned for their lack of faith.
In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Korazim is famously named as a location where people witnessed Jesus’ “mighty works” but apparently rejected his message.
The town was also home to a thriving Jewish community during the Byzantine period.
In May, officials announced that an eight-year-old boy from Rehovot found a 1,700-year-old Roman statuette fragment.
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