Spectacular Gold and Amethyst Ring Discovered From World's Largest Ancient Winery, Used to Prevent 'Hangovers'

A spectacular gold and amethyst ring discovered from the world's largest ancient wine factory in Israel may have served a unique purpose—preventing hangovers, stated CNN. The beautiful piece of jewelry uncovered during excavations in the city of Yavne by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has sparked interesting discussions about ancient drinking customs and beliefs. It also adds quite an interesting feature to the discovery location of that ring. To be found but just 150 meters from that big warehouse full of wine storage amphorae, the significance attached to it seems too great to a Byzantine-era giant known as a winery.

"Many virtues have been attached to this gem, including the prevention of the side effect of drinking, the hangover," said an ancient jewelry IAA expert called Dr. Amir Golani, as per CNN. The actual age of the ring is a bit of a mystery, probably from the seventh century CE, at a time when Byzantine power was overthrown by Arab Muslim forces. Archaeological finds may indicate that it is even older, perhaps belonging to the third century C.E., when Roman elites wore similar gold bands with amethyst stones.

The workmanship of the ring speaks to its owner's stature. This jewelry was 5.11 grams. Of course, it symbolized wealth and elegance. "Finding an ancient ring with a semi-precious stone intact is rare," Golani said, stated Smithsonian Magazine. "Its size and ostentatiousness indicate it belonged to someone who wanted to flaunt their wealth."

The purple-hued amethyst stone set in gold carries deep historical significance. The word "amethyst" itself actually comes from Greek, "amethystos," meaning "not drunk," according to Live Science. Those gems were often brought along in goblets of ancient Greeks or could be worn upon drinking, given that they trusted the stone to deter drunkenness; it is since at least 320 B.C.E. when there was mention of its properties by one of the renowned poets, Asclepiades of Samos. "It is possible that the splendid ring belonged to the owner of the magnificent warehouse, to a foreman, or simply to an unlucky visitor, who dropped and lost their precious ring," said Dr. Elie Haddad, co-director of the IAA excavation, stated Smithsonian Magazine. The mystery of whether its owner actively sought protection from wine's effects remains unsolved.

The winery site of Yavne from which the ring was discovered was not commonplace. This massive Byzantine-era facility produced the famous "Gaza wine" or "Ashkelon wine," named after the ports from which it was exported to Europe and Asia. Its annual yield is estimated to stand at more than 500,000 gallons of wine. Beyond their supposed hangover-prevention properties, amethysts held other significant meanings in ancient times. The gemstone also appears in the biblical texts as one of the twelve precious stones that adorned the high priest's ceremonial breastplate, stated Live Science. Ancient civilizations also believed that these purple stones had healing powers and energy, just like rubies, because of their blood-like hues, according to Smithsonian Magazine.