A hands-on archaeology program for local students yielded an extraordinary result when 12-year-old Alon Horowitz uncovered a rare 1,500-year-old gemstone at Israel's Korazim National Park. The discovery of the ancient "Nicolo" stone is providing archaeologists with fresh clues about wealth, trade and daily life in the Galilee during Roman and Byzantine times.
The sixth-grader from Ramat Korazim Elementary School made the remarkable find while participating in a community excavation project designed to connect local students with their historical roots. The program encourages young people to take an active role in uncovering the past through guided tours, hands-on digging, lessons about daily life in ancient times and demonstrations of ancient techniques.
After three days of excavation, Horowitz struck archaeological gold just minutes before the activity was scheduled to end.
“About ten minutes before we finished, I was digging with the trowel, and suddenly I saw something blue, round, and special,” Horowitz said. “I picked it up and showed it to the archaeologist. When I understood it was something rare, I felt really happy and proud.”
Experts identified the find as a "Nicolo" gemstone, a prized variety of agate that was highly sought after during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Characterized by its striking blue coloration and layered appearance, Nicolo stones were commonly set into jewelry and signet rings worn by wealthy and influential members of society.
According to excavation director Dr. Achia Kohn-Tavor of Ariel University, the gemstone likely dates from between the 1st and 6th centuries CE and would have served as a status symbol for its owner.
“Small finds like these open a large window for us into the personal lives of the residents of ancient Korazim — not only into buildings and streets, but also into worlds of beauty, status and human connections,” Kohn-Tavor noted.
The discovery is significant because the gemstone was not sourced locally. Archaeologists believe it arrived in Korazim through long-distance trade routes, providing evidence that this ancient community was connected to a broader network of commerce stretching across the Roman and Byzantine worlds. Its presence suggests that alongside agriculture and daily village life, Korazim enjoyed access to luxury goods and international trade.
Located a few miles north of the Sea of Galilee, Korazim was a village that flourished for more than a thousand years, from the Second Temple period through the 11th century CE. Today, visitors can explore the remains of homes, ritual baths, olive presses and a magnificent ancient synagogue renowned for its intricate stone carvings.
The site is also roughly two miles north of Capernaum, the ancient fishing village that served as the central base of Jesus’ public ministry.
Credits: Photos by Hadar Quint, Israel Nature and Parks Authority.