Two Gold Earrings

The Two Gold Earrings are a pair of gold earrings discovered at Qaryat al-Faw Archaeological Site‏, located in the southeastern part of ‏Wadi ad-Dawasir Governorate‏ in ‏Riyadh Province‏, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The earrings weigh 15.9 g. They date back to the period between the third century BCE and the third century CE and were used as ornamental jewelry for women.

Each earring was crafted in the shape of a Koufia, from which a row of rings hangs, encircling the lower perimeter. At the center of each ring is a raised spherical ornament. Hanging from the rings is a design resembling a knotted rope. Above the rings, three consecutive vertical bands wrap around the earring’s perimeter. The body of the earring is adorned with raised spheres, oval shapes with central protruding spheres, and star patterns with raised spheres at their centers. At the top center of the earring, there is a small circular handle with a cylindrical post, decorated with raised spheres. A circular ring, embellished with a decorative circle featuring raised spheres, passes through this handle.

The pair of gold earrings were discovered during the archaeological survey and excavation efforts conducted by the antiquities and museums sector in Saudi Arabia over the past years. Their discovery was part of the work of Saudi archaeologists, scientific expeditions, and specialized research teams. The earrings are preserved at the Museum of the Department of Archaeology at King Saud University in Riyadh and were selected for display alongside other historically significant archaeological discoveries from Saudi Arabia as part of the Saudi ‏Archaeological Masterpieces Through the Ages Exhibition‏. The first edition of this exhibition was launched at the Louvre Museum in Paris, the capital of France, in 2010, showcasing Saudi heritage pieces across various social, cultural, and economic fields. The earrings are registered under number 79 F 12.

The design of the gold earrings is based on a hemispherical shape, reflecting the artistic workshop’s approach to intensifying details and ornamentation. This highlights the emphasis on women's beauty and conveys several historical insights, including the social and economic status of women during that period. It also showcases the artisan’s ability to skillfully and masterfully create intricate jewelry and adornments for women.