A New Jewelry Hoard from Eleventh-Century BCE Megiddo

A jewelry hoard was recently uncovered in Megiddo in destruction debris securely dated to the Early Iron Age I. The hoard was found only about 30 m from the Canaanite palace of the city of Stratum VIIA. Three groups of objects contained in the hoard are presented: a bundle of silver objects; a necklace made of electrum, carnelian, and silver beads; and ten elaborate electrum jewelry pieces. An earring from the latter group is a work of art that has never been seen before in the jewelry discovered in the region. In light of the accurate excavation methods of the hoard, its good stratigraphical affiliation, and several additional examinations, such as metallurgy, petrography, and residue analysis, the authors discuss the stages of hoarding and point out the social, economic, and historical circumstances of this unique find.