11 July 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Ancient ‘hangover cure’ found at Israel winery excavation

Israeli archaeologists have unearthed an ancient amethyst ring thought to have been worn to stop hangover at the world’s largest ancient wine factory.

According to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), an antique gold ring studded with a semiprecious stone that may be used as a simple hangover treatment was recently uncovered during an excavation in Yavne, in the country’s central area, on Tuesday.

According to the IAA, the ring, which weighs 5.11 grams (0.18 ounces) and has a purple stone on top, was discovered in a location that also houses the world’s largest known Byzantine-era winepress.

The ring is adorned with semiprecious amethyst stone, which was believed to have power in dispelling the aftereffects of alcohol.

An ancient amethyst ring found during excavations near a Byzantine-era winery in Yavne, Israel, may have been worn to ward off hangovers (Eliyahu Waldman/Israel Antiquities Authority)
An ancient amethyst ring found during excavations near a Byzantine-era winery in Yavne, Israel, may have been worn to ward off hangovers (Eliyahu Waldman/Israel Antiquities Authority)

“The person who owned the ring was affluent, and the wearing of the jewel indicated their status and wealth,” said Amir Golani, an IAA expert on ancient jewelry. “Such rings could be worn by both men and women.”

The stone incorporated in the ring is amethyst, which is referenced in the Bible as one of the 12 stones worn by the High Priest in his ceremonial breastplate.

The fact that the ring was discovered near a “large winery” makes the discovery of amethyst “especially noteworthy,” according to the IAA.

The ancient winemaking facility in Yavne, Israel. Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority.
The ancient winemaking facility in Yavne, Israel. Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority.

The age of the ring is being debated. Though the fill where the ring was discovered dates to the end of the Byzantine period and the beginning of the Early Islamic period around the 7th century CE, it might be older and have been passed down through generations owing to its “beauty and prestige,” according to the IAA.

Gold rings inlaid with amethyst are known to have been worn in the Roman world and the ring could have belonged to an owner from as early as the 3rd century, the statement said.

Cover Photo: Dafna Gazit/Israel Antiquities Authority

Related Articles

Archaeologists have uncovered the source of King Solomon’s wealth

31 August 2021

31 August 2021

An archeological team working in Israel’s Timna Valley believes they have discovered the reason behind King Solomon’s legendary wealth. The...

The Mystery of the Scythian Ice Maiden

1 June 2021

1 June 2021

A mummy of a tattooed Scythian-Siberian noblewoman is believed to have supernatural powers, but it’s stored in a museum because...

World’s Oldest Murder

14 February 2021

14 February 2021

Researchers found a mass grave in a cave in Spain, now known as Sima de los Huesos, or the Pit...

“Dholavira,” the settlement with the world’s oldest signboard

16 August 2021

16 August 2021

Dholavira, also known as Kotda (which means “big fort”), is one of the islands in Kutch’s vast desert. The city...

New Dead Sea Scrolls in The Horror Cave

16 March 2021

16 March 2021

On Tuesday, Israeli archaeologists revealed dozens of recently discovered fragments of Bible text, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were based...

Oldest Recorded Gynecological Treatment

7 February 2021

7 February 2021

In their latest research, scientists have come across a treatment practice in a mummy from 4000 years ago, as written...

World’s Oldest Customer Complaint “at 3800 Years Old”

4 February 2021

4 February 2021

When we are not satisfied with the product we receive, what almost all of us do is complain about the...

300-Year-Old Sacred Mummified Mermaid From Japan’s Mystery Solved

20 February 2023

20 February 2023

A mummified mermaid has been worshiped in Japan for centuries because locals believe it has healing powers. However, upon closer...

The Most Important Works of Achaemenid Persian Metalwork “Oxus Treasure”

21 May 2021

21 May 2021

The Oxus Treasure is a collection of 180 precious metal objects unearthed on the north bank of the Oxus River...

From Prehistoric Georgia ‘World’s oldest wine”

12 July 2022

12 July 2022

For many years in a row, wine has been a popular alcoholic beverage consumed worldwide. While we associate many things...

The world’s earliest drawing of a ghost discovered in the British Museum vault

17 October 2021

17 October 2021

The world’s earliest drawing of a ghost has been unearthed in the gloomy vaults of the British Museum. The British...

The Worst Torture Device in History “Brazen Bull”

2 February 2021

2 February 2021

Agrigentum Tyranny today is in the provincial borders of Agrigento in the Sicily Autonomous Region in the southwest of Sicily....

Onna-Bugeisha, Female Samurais of Japan

16 May 2021

16 May 2021

Long before the Western World began to consider Samurai warriors male by nature, there were female samurai. These female samurai...

People knew how to make bread 14,400 years ago

15 May 2022

15 May 2022

Archaeological finds in Jordan’s Black Desert show that humans used stone ovens to bake bread 14,400 years ago. Researchers have...

World’s First Air Conditioners “Windcatchers”

23 May 2021

23 May 2021

The Persians invented Air Conditioning! Although it should be noted that this is 500 CE, this is the first time...