Medieval gold ring found in Tnsberg

"An archaeologist working alone in the historic center of Tnsberg, Norway, discovered a medieval gold ring with elaborate decoration and a blue oval gem set in the middle. Only 63 other gold rings from the Middle Ages are in the joint database of the Norwegian university museums collections, and it's been 15 years since a gold ring from the period was found in Tnsberg. This example is exceptional for the intricacy of its design and high quality of craftsmanship."

"Built in the shadow of a royal castle complex, Tnsberg was an important city in the Middle Ages. Royalty, nobility and high clergy all visited there; the kind of people who could afford such expensive jewelry, Archaeologist Linda Asheim from Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) was working on the site in conjunction with the city's stormwater management and street drainage works."

"Because the construction zone is located inside the cultural heritage site of Tnsberg Medieval Town, the works legally require archaeological supervision, and over the past two seasons of excavation, NIKU archaeologists have uncovered the remains of medieval houses, a street, a building that burned down but the roof is preserved and a bulwark. She unearthed the ring 2.8 inches deep into a cultivation layer that has not been dated, but a spruce twig the layer right above it was dated to 1167-1269."

An archaeologist in Tnsberg, Norway found a medieval gold ring with elaborate decoration and a blue oval gem. Only 63 other medieval gold rings appear in the Norwegian university museums joint database; this example is exceptional for intricate design and fine craftsmanship. The discovery occurred inside Tnsberg Medieval Town during infrastructure works requiring archaeological supervision. The ring was recovered 2.8 inches deep in a cultivation layer; a spruce twig above it dated to 1167–1269. Spiral motifs and combined granulation and filigree techniques link the piece to earlier medieval goldwork traditions introduced from Byzantium via the Carolingian Dynasty. The petite inner circumference suggests female ownership and the blue center is likely dark glass imitating a sapphire.

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