Sixth Grader Finds Rare Gemstone at Biblical Site

A sixth grader discovered an unusual gemstone at Korazim National Park, a historical site in Galilee tied to Jesus’ ministry. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) announced this in early June.

Korazim, associated with the biblical village of Chorazin, is mentioned in the New Testament as a place where residents witnessed miracles but did not repent. It is about two miles north of ancient Capernaum, an important center for Jesus’ activities.

The rarity of the gemstone reflects life in ancient Galilee.
– Israel Nature and Parks Authority

Pictures of the find reveal its small size and distinct pale-blue center. Alon Horowitz, a 12-year-old student from Ramat Korazim Regional Elementary School, found the gemstone while participating in a dig coordinated by INPA and Ariel University. His discovery happened just minutes before the excavation concluded.

Horowitz shared his excitement, stating, “After three days of digging, about 10 minutes before we finished, I was digging with my trowel and suddenly saw something blue, round, and special.” His teachers, family, and friends celebrated his rare find.

The gemstone, likely part of an ornate ring worn by a wealthy individual, is a Nicolo, a rare type of agate valued in the Roman and Byzantine periods. Achia Kohn-Tavor, the excavation director, identified the stone’s significance and noted it was discovered in a luxurious estate, suggesting its previous owner had access to international luxury items.

Uncertainty surrounds how the stone ended up buried at Korazim. However, it probably arrived via ancient trade routes connecting the area to the Roman and Byzantine world. Kohn-Tavor confirmed that the stone’s presence indicates wealth and access to imported goods.

Horowitz’s find echoes other young Israelis’ discoveries. In May, an 8-year-old from Rehovot unearthed a Roman statuette, and last year, a 3-year-old girl found a Canaanite amulet near Tel Azeka.