A volunteer from abroad uncovered a 2,000-year-old gold ring and a pair of earrings during archaeological excavations at Susita National Park, following an announcement by leaders at the University of Haifa’s Archaeology department. The artifacts date back to the Roman period, approximately 2,000 years ago.
Eddie Lipsman, a volunteer on the excavation team, spoke to Walla about uncovering the ring while doing a scan. “I was assigned a specific excavation area by [Dr.] Michael [Eisenberg]. While scanning with a metal detector, I suddenly heard a distinct beep, which usually signals the presence of special metals. When I dug, I first saw a yellow hue, and as I continued, I uncovered a small, remarkable gold ring,” Lipsman said. “I was amazed by the find. To my delight, I also discovered a pair of gold earrings, but the ring, with its small and unique design, really moved me.”
The ancient city of Susita has been undergoing preservation and restoration for 26 years as part of the Susita excavation project, managed by the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa. The excavation team, led by Dr. Michael Eisenberg and Dr. Arleta Koblewska, is joined by students from the University of Haifa’s Department of Archaeology and School of Archaeology and Maritime Civilizations, along with international volunteers from the US, Germany, England, and Italy, many of whom made their way to Israel despite the ongoing flight cancellations.
Dr. Eisenberg explained, “The small, heavy gold ring likely belonged to the daughter of a wealthy family in Susita. The pair of gold earrings, one of which is especially beautiful, were likely burial offerings that managed to avoid being looted by ancient thieves. These items date back to the Roman period (1st-3rd century AD), and were all discovered by Eddie Lipsman.”
In addition to these remarkable finds, the excavation also revealed dozens of high-quality fragments of fine stucco work from the Roman-Byzantine residential neighborhood. The delicate plaster sculptures, which had fallen from the walls, are being carefully conserved, and their vibrant colors are starting to emerge once again, offering a glimpse into the once-grandiose appearance of this wealthy home.
This year, the excavation is focused on uncovering parts of the city’s residential quarter, a grand cathedral, an ancient Roman gate that was fully uncovered, and the city’s cemeteries.
The history of Susita, the city of horses
Dr. Dror Ben-Yosef, Northern District Archaeologist at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, noted that Susita National Park, located on the slopes of the Golan Heights east of the Sea of Galilee, preserves the magnificent remains of the ancient city of Hippos (Susita in Hebrew).
The city, named after horses, flourished from the Hellenistic period, which began around 300 BC, reached its peak during the Roman-Byzantine era, and continued until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 749 CE following the Muslim conquest. Excavations have uncovered significant remains from the Roman and Byzantine periods.
The excavations are expected to continue on weekdays until the end of July, and the public is invited to visit and observe the ongoing discoveries.