The excavation's director, Dr. Achia Kohn-Tavorn of Ariel University, identified the stone as nicolo, a type of agate often used by the Romans in jewelry and signet rings as a symbol of wealth.
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) announced on Sunday the discovery of a deep blue gemstone, approximately 1,500 years old, during archaeological excavations in Korazim National Park in the Galilee.
The excavations were part of a joint project between INPA and Ariel University, designed to give students from the region the opportunity to learn about the history of their home region and actively participate in uncovering the past.
Twelve-year-old Alon Horwitz, a sixth-grader at Ramat Korazim Elementary School, discovered the gem about 10 minutes before the excavation was due to end.
«"After three days of excavation, about ten minutes before the end of the work, I was digging with a shovel and suddenly saw something blue, round, and special," Horwitz told INPA. "I picked it up and showed it to the archaeologist. When I realized it was something rare, I felt very happy and proud. I received a lot of praise from friends, teachers, and family.".
The excavation's director, Dr. Achia Kohn-Tavorn of Ariel University, identified the stone as nicolo, a type of agate often used by the Romans in jewelry and signet rings as a symbol of wealth and high social status.
Educational excavations at Korazim National Park in the Galilee, June 1, 2026. (Photo: Hadar Quint/Israel Nature and Parks Authority)
Gem provides a glimpse into everyday life.
According to INPA, the discovery of the gemstone in Korazim indicates that the ancient city had a rich trading culture alongside everyday life.
Tavor added that the discovery of such small finds opens a window into the lives of the inhabitants of ancient Korazim, «not only into the buildings and streets, but also into worlds of beauty, status, and human connections.».
«"Finding a precious stone destined for jewelry is an exceptional and particularly exciting event in the archaeology of the Land of Israel," added Dr. Dror Ben-Yosef, archaeologist and cultural heritage officer for INPA's Northern District. "Our educational excavations in national parks and cultural heritage sites are not only scientific work but also a central educational component, aimed at creating a deep connection between the younger generation and the history and roots of all of us.".
«The opportunity for Alon to come into contact with a personal object left behind by someone who lived here 1,500 years ago is precisely the moment when heritage transforms from a story in a book into a living, uniting experience.».
What is Korazim?
Korazim, located on a basalt hill a few kilometers north of the Sea of Galilee, was a Jewish settlement that existed from the time of the Second Temple until the 11th century CE.
Excavations at the site were conducted in 1905, the 1920s, the mid-1960s and the 1980s, in parallel with more modern excavations led by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and INPA.
Today, the settlement's remaining remains include residential buildings, ritual baths (mikvehs), an ancient oil press, and a magnificent synagogue.
The synagogue, located in the center of the village, dates back to the 4th-5th centuries CE and is believed to have been destroyed and rebuilt during this time. It is known for its numerous stone carvings and the basalt "Seat of Moses" discovered inside.
In the New Testament (the Gospels of Matthew and Luke), the village is also mentioned as being cursed by Jesus for rejecting his teachings.