Medieval Gold Ring Discovered in Tonsberg – History Blog

An archaeologist working alone in the historic center of Tønsberg, Norway, discovered a beautifully decorated medieval gold ring with a blue oval gemstone set in the center. There are only 63 other medieval gold rings in the joint database held by the Norwegian University Museums, 15 years after the discovery of a gold ring from this period in Tønsberg. This example stands out for its intricate design and high-quality craftsmanship.

Built in the shadow of the royal castle complex, Tonsberg was an important city in the Middle Ages. Royalty, nobility and high-ranking clergymen visited there. Those who can afford such expensive jewelry,

Linda Åsheim, an archaeologist at the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage (NIKU), is working on the site in conjunction with the city’s Stormwater Management and Street Drainage Project. Since the construction area is located within the Tonsberg Medieval Town Cultural Heritage Site, the project legally requires archaeological supervision, and during excavations over the past two seasons, NIKU archaeologists have discovered the remains of medieval houses, a street, a burned-out building with a preserved roof, and a fortress.

She unearthed the ring in a 2.8-inch-deep layer of plow that has not yet been dated, but a layer of spruce branches directly above it dates to 1167-1269. The spiral at the top of the ring is typical of work made between the 9th and 11th centuries, a combination of granulation and filigree techniques brought to Norway from the Byzantine Empire via the Carolingians.

The ring is petite, with an inner circumference of approximately 50-55mm (US ring size 5.25-7.25), so it most likely belongs to a woman. The blue gemstone in the center may not be a stone, but a smooth piece of dark blue glass, making it look like a sapphire. This may have been intentionally imitated to make it look like a real sapphire ring. In the Middle Ages, sapphires symbolized divinity, purity and virtue. Clergy wore them to represent sanctity and their connection to heaven. Sapphires were worn by members of the royal family for their divine protective powers, protecting the wearer from harm and disease.