The carved jasper stone, found in Israel, was apparently commissioned by a wealthy man and passed down for generations.A unique gemstone found in Israel that may have adorned a ring has shed light on a little known art in ancient Rome: fine carving.
On the floor of a room dating to the early Byzantium period, around 4th century CE, archaeologists spotted a red gemstone beautifully engraved with the figure of a naked running man holding a laurel wreath in one hand.
Or maybe he's holding a wreath of olive branches. It's hard to tell. In any case, in the other hand the bare gentleman holds what is clearly a date palm branch.
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