Parting gifts – brooch, earring, and signet ring

A lead coffin was discovered in a hewn grave in Jerusalem, decorated with geometric patterns and motifs from classical mythology. Resting upon it were spectacular jewelry pieces, including an earring and a brooch bearing the image of Athena armed with a helmet and shield and a ring carved with an armored gladiatorial elephant. The iconography and high quality of these items indicates that they likely belonged to a Roman legionnaire – one who served and died in Jerusalem – and his wife. Some of them were apparently torn from the clothing or bodies of the mourners as part of the burial service.