Rings and ring stones which are displayed in Gaziantep Archeology Museum

The rings that have a special place among the jewellery were worn by women, men and children since the early periods of history. Most probably they were initially made from pure stone and ivory and then at following periods precious and semiprecious stones were assembled to the metal ring circle.In ancient times, except being ornamental they were used as seal and amulet, People believed that they have healing and protecting effects according to their metal and stone. They also represented unity and loyalty in marriage and became indicator of statue.In our study, under the light of similar examples, we dated the rings and ring stones that were obtained with means of purchasing to Gaziantep Archeology Museum.These datings were displayed in the catalogue that was prepared by us. These unpublished 81 rings and ring stones in that catalogue are being displayed in the vitrine of ?Ring Stones?. Among these pieces, there is a ring that was found together with its ring circle , brow and stone. Also we examined the 7 pieces with broken circle but convenient to measure their diameters. The other pieces are ring stones. Ring circle and brows are made from iron and bronze. The stones are cornelian, jasper, onyx, sardius, plasm and sardonyx. Glass is used as ring stone in 11 pieces.The shapes of ring stones are oval and closed to circular oval. Their upper and lower parts are flat or convex section.Gods, goddesses, gladiators, portraits, figures related with daily life, undefined figures, animal figures, mythological creatures, inscriptions, monograms and symbols are depicted on these ring stones. Most of the ring stones we examined on were dated to Hellenistic and Roman Periods.