Extremely rare gold ring discovered in 2,000-year-old tomb

The Greek Ministry of Culture recently announced the results of the excavation of a 2,000-year-old tomb in Chiliomodi, a town near Corinth in the Peloponnese region of Greece. This ancient tomb was first discovered in 2024. Photo: Greek Ministry of Culture.

According to experts, the ancient tomb was used as a burial site for centuries before being converted into a healing temple. The tomb is roughly T-shaped. The funerary structure includes a large burial chamber measuring 2.7 x 7.4m. The entrance to the ancient tomb is sealed with a stone slab resembling a door. Photo: Greek Ministry of Culture.

Based on the architecture of the tomb , experts believe that this structure was built during the Hellenistic period (from 323 BC to 30 BC). Photo: Greek Ministry of Culture.

In the main burial chamber, archaeologists discovered a large sarcophagus and five rectangular masonry boxes lining the walls. A female skeleton was found inside the sarcophagus. Photo: Greek Ministry of Culture.

After centuries of use as a burial site, the site became a full-time healing temple during the late Roman period (AD 250–450). Photo: Greek Ministry of Culture.

Archaeologists found many artifacts dating from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Inside the tomb included a gold ring with a gemstone carved to depict Apollo - the god of healing and medicine; a snake - which has been a medical symbol for millennia. Photo: Greek Ministry of Culture.

In addition, artifacts such as coins, gold leaf from wreaths, small vases, iron and bronze artifacts, perfume bottles and glass beads were also found from the tomb. Photo: Greek Ministry of Culture.

In the area outside the tomb, experts have unearthed more artifacts indicating that this place was once used as a healing shrine. Several clay fingers and part of a clay arm were unearthed in the soil that filled the tomb. Photo: archaeology.

The clay body parts may have been left by people seeking healing at the shrine or by those grateful that their specific health problems had been cured by the gods. Photo: Greece's Ministry of Culture and Sports.

According to the Greek Ministry of Culture, excavations in the area outside the ancient tomb are not yet complete. Archaeologists are working to clarify the original shape of the tomb and temple, as well as the exact time when the site was used and renovated. Photo: trip.com.

Readers are invited to watch the video: Startled scene inside a 1,400-year-old ancient tomb.