U of Wash student finds rare carved gemstone at Israeli archaeological dig

UW student finds precious gem at Israeli dig

SEATTLE — A University of Washington student on an archaeological dig in Israel has discovered a 2,300-year-old gemstone carved with a portrait of Alexander the Great.

UW associate professor Sarah Stroup says the discovery of the half-inch-long carnelian stone by student Megan Webb is an incredibly rare find. She tells The Seattle Times that the carved stone, believed to have been in a ring and dating from shortly after 332 B.C., is of the highest quality that could have been done in that period.

The discovery was made in mid-July at the Tel Dor archaeological site on Israel’s northwest coast. It was announced Tuesday by the two Israeli universites that led the dig.

Information from: The Seattle Times, www.seattletimes.com