By Maria Bregman
The year 2021 was full of surprises, challenges, and discoveries. Despite the ongoing pandemic, lockdowns, and travel restrictions, art and archaeology enthusiasts were not disappointed by the amazing finds that were revealed to the world. From ancient treasures to modern masterpieces, from hidden gems to colossal structures, here are some of the most extraordinary discoveries of 2021 that made headlines and history.
The one ring (to prevent your hangover)
Who wouldn’t want a ring that could ward off the effects of a night of drinking? That’s what some archaeologists believe was the purpose of a gold and purple amethyst ring that was found at a site where one of the largest known ancient wineries once stood, in the Israeli city of Yavne. The ring, which dates back to the Byzantine period between the 3rd and 7th centuries, may have belonged to a wealthy wine merchant or a foreman who oversaw the production of wine in the warehouse that contained thousands of amphorae, or wine vessels. According to ancient beliefs, amethyst was a stone that could prevent intoxication and protect against evil. The ring was one of the many artifacts that were uncovered during the excavation of the site, which also revealed a complex network of roads, buildings, and industrial facilities that spanned over 1,000 years of history.
A surprise Rembrandt
Sometimes, accidents can lead to great discoveries. That’s what happened when an artwork fell off the wall in a Roman country house in 2016, and was sent to be restored. The painting, which depicted the biblical scene of the three wise men visiting the baby Jesus, turned out to be a lost masterpiece by Rembrandt van Rijn, the 17th-century Dutch genius. The painting, titled “The Adoration of the Magi,” was made by Rembrandt in 1632-33, when he was only 26 years old, and was one of his earliest commissions. The painting had been missing for centuries, and was only known through copies that were held by major museums such as the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Italian Heritage Foundation confirmed the authenticity of the painting after a thorough investigation that involved scientific analysis, historical research, and stylistic comparison. The painting, which is valued at over $15 million, is now on display at the Galleria Borghese in Rome.
An ancient city is slowly uncovered
One of the biggest archaeological discoveries of the year was an entire 3,000-year-old city that was unearthed from beneath the sand in Egypt. The city, dubbed “The Rise of Aten,” was discovered on the western bank of Luxor, near the famous Valley of the Kings, by a team of Egyptian archaeologists led by Zahi Hawass, the former minister of antiquities. The city was built by Amenhotep III, one of the most powerful pharaohs of ancient Egypt, and was later used by his son and successor, Akhenaten, the controversial ruler who introduced a monotheistic cult of the sun god Aten. The city was abandoned after Akhenaten’s death, and was gradually buried by the desert. The excavation, which began in the fall of 2020, revealed a well-preserved urban plan, with streets, houses, workshops, temples, palaces, and administrative buildings, as well as thousands of artifacts, such as pottery, jewelry, tools, statues, and even a human skeleton. The city, which is considered to be the largest ever found in Egypt, offers a rare glimpse into the life and culture of the ancient Egyptians during a pivotal period of their history.