8 August 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

Foundations laid with human blood “Foundation sacrifices”

5 September 2021

5 September 2021

The custom of sacrificing a human being at the erection of a new house or fortress is very old. Foundation...

5,700-Year-old Ancient “Chewing Gum” Gives Information About People and Bacteria of the Past

4 April 2021

4 April 2021

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have successfully extracted the complete human genome from “chewing gum” thousands of years ago....

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...

Africa May not be Where the First Pre-Human First Appeared

22 March 2021

22 March 2021

According to one opinion: About 2 million years ago, our first ancestors moved north from their hometown and left Africa....

The Earliest Evidence of a Domesticated Dog in the Arabian Peninsula

9 April 2021

9 April 2021

Dogs have been the best friend of humans since ancient times. Although it is not known exactly when dogs were...

World’s First Pregnant Ancient Egyptian Mummy has been Discovered

29 April 2021

29 April 2021

Experts from the Polish Academy of Sciences aim to research all mummies in museums as part of the Warsaw Mummy...

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 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....

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...

China’s 4300-Year-Old Ancient Pyramids

26 March 2021

26 March 2021

Shaanxi Province in Northwest China is famous for its rich archaeological treasures. Among the many sites discovered in Shaanxi, the...

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...

7500-year-old cursed city of Iran

17 March 2023

17 March 2023

Sialk Hills, located in the southwestern part of Kashan city in Iran, was known among the locals as a ‘cursed...

1,000-year-old Chicken Egg Found in Israel

9 June 2021

9 June 2021

Archaeologists discover almost fully intact but nearly empty egg and three rare Islamic-period bone dolls in excavation of settlement dating...

Michelangelo, the artistic giant, was actually rather short

3 September 2021

3 September 2021

The legendary Michelangelo Buonarroti left huge works behind as an artist. But Italian researchers found that the shoes of this...

The Historical Building Next To The Million Stone Will Sell

6 February 2021

6 February 2021

Everyone has heard of the Million Stone, which was built during the Byzantine Empire and accepted as the zero points...