In the southeastern city of Kalmar, Sweden, archaeologists have unearthed approximately 30,000 artifacts from the medieval period, among which includes a pure gold ring engraved with the image of Jesus. For two consecutive years, a team from Archaelogists, a division of Sweden’s national agency for historic museum management, has been excavating the old town area of Kalmar along the Baltic coast. This ancient town was the city center from the early 13th to the mid-17th century.

The ring was found in almost new condition

The archaeological project focused on 50 medieval plots, 10 streets, and parts of the city wall from centuries past. The findings have far exceeded the expectations of experts, according to Newsweek magazine’s report on March 11. Researchers uncovered remains of hundreds of buildings, cellars, streets, and artifacts dating from 1250 to 1650.

Image of the ring found

“We have been able to lift the veil of secrecy on the medieval city and had the opportunity to study how the ancient inhabitants lived, what they ate, and how these habits changed over time,” said project director Magnus Stibéus. Among the 30,000 objects found, archaeologists discovered a pure gold ring depicting Jesus, dated to the early 15th century. Based on its design, they believe it belonged to a woman.

The ring is in near-pristine condition, and Mr. Stibéus suggests that someone lost this ring about half a millennium ago.