An amethyst seal dating back 2,000 years has been discovered
It depicts a plant associated with Cleopatra
An amethyst seal from the time of Jesus Christ was found during excavations at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. As experts have found out, it shows a plant, the fruit of which was used to make incense during the Second Temple Period.
The seal, which could be worn as a ring, still bears an engraving depicting a bird next to a branch of the so-called Biblical persimmon. In Second Temple times it was used as an ingredient for the production of Temple incense, perfumes, balms and medicines.
The first-century historian Josephus Flavius mentioned that Mark Antony gave Cleopatra groves of such persimmon that had previously belonged to King Herod. This was probably done so that the famous queen would have an unlimited supply of expensive balm and perfume.
Mysteries of the planet
