The ring was crafted from 18-carat gold and featured two lion heads encircling a reddish-purple sapphire from Sri Lanka. It was discovered by a treasure hunter in 2001 and given to researchers in 2023.
The ring was discovered in a courtyard of the Pustý hrad Castle, near the city of Zvolen. The castle was constructed during the High Middle Ages, around the 12th century, and began to decline after 200 years due to neglect.
Archaeologists at the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (Slovakia) have published the results in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
"Bishops were required to wear such rings, which were their official symbol; this was the bishop's official ring. Therefore, it is likely that the wearer of the ring was a high-ranking ecclesiastical official," writes archaeologist Noémi Beljak Pažinová.
"This ring embodies deep spiritual meanings, protective powers, and social status, allowing the wearer to display wealth while also seeking divine protection associated with the symbols it carries.”
The fact that the gemstone came from Sri Lanka indicates the extensive trade routes that existed during the Middle Ages. It is believed the gemstone likely arrived in central Europe through trade routes that passed through Aleppo or Constantinople.
"This exceptional find offers valuable insights into the trade routes, craftsmanship, and social hierarchies of medieval Europe," writes Pažinová.
The researchers employed non-destructive techniques in their study of the ring. They examined the light refraction properties of the gemstone and used special X-ray methods, including Raman spectroscopy and micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy.
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