bavarikon4UDescription
The ring comes from a cremation grave with other grave goods, which was unearthed during excavations in 1961. Although no further finds could be made in the near vicinity, it may be assumed that the grave belonged to a cemetery.
In a house-shaped ash box made of calcareous tufa was a lead urn with cremated remains and grave goods. On the lid of the urn was a clay oil lamp. An analysis of the cremated remains revealed that it was probably the grave of a young woman in early adulthood. The ring is cast solid, which is rather unusual for the Roman period. Two panthers protruding from acanthus leaf goblets are holding rectangular edging with a sapphire with their front paws. There is another surround on the underside. This is smaller, round and also encloses a sapphire.
The burial itself dates to around the middle of the third century, but the ring itself is probably several decades older, as it shows clear signs of use, indicating that it was worn for a long time. It is possibly an heirloom that was placed with the young deceased woman in her grave. The addition of valuable jewellery is comparatively rare in Roman tombs. Young, unmarried women in particular were possibly given their inheritance in this way, which they themselves could no longer pass on to their own children. In general, the grave goods show that the deceased woman must have come from a wealthy family.