A group of bronzes from the Archaeological Museum Of Hatay

Manufactured to serve several purposes throughout history, jewelry is solely used for ornamental purposes today. As for the utilization of jewelry in religion, where it finds the most extensive use, it comes in many different forms from amulets and figures thought to have protective roles to symbols considered to represent religion. Before the discovery of mines, colorful stones, organic materials and beads were made into pieces of jewelry after undergoing such processes as rubbing, scraping, piercing and abrading, each determined by the tastes, traditions and the beliefs of the local people. After discovering mines, early humans took advantage of the elements that could be worked easily, which became a symbol of status in the Egyptian culture and wealthy families began to use jewelry made from elements found in mines. As a result of this, jewelry found a new purpose to serve: status. This new use became so well-established that people formed traditions to embellish the deceased as well as the living with these pieces of jewelry. Both men and women wore jewelry in Mesopotamia. Men usually favored rings that were used as seals, which opened up a new area for jewelry to serve. These rings generally bore signs that showed the wearer's status or symbol. In order for the jewelry to assume this role, it needed to be treated accordingly. This treatment process marks the birth of casting in Anatolia, creating new job opportunities which have diversified over time through cultural events. We learn of the events, jewelry names and techniques used to make them from written records, antique drawings and painting on vases and cave walls, coins and even from the descriptions of jewelry on statues. Technological developments led to improvements in jewelry as a profession. This profession has developed to such an extent that jewelry began to contain animal or human figures made of plastic, as well. Key Word: Archaeological Museum of Hatay, Bronze Artefacts, Jewellry, Roman Period, Byzantine Period, Antiocheia Ad Orontes