This gold bead, created using the granulation technique during the Iron Age, measures 6mm in diameter and 4mm in height. Its excellent preservation highlights the enduring nature of gold. The granulation technique, involving intricate processes and high temperatures, showcases the advanced skills of ancient goldsmiths. Such beads were commonly found in burial offerings, suggesting a potential apotropaic function. The bead’s purpose remains unclear, whether it adorned a significant figure or a priest visiting the Temple.
The Bible mentions various types of jewelry, and while research has proposed different identifications, many terms remain uncertain. In Isaiah 3:18-23, the term “netifot” is detailed as pendants hanging from necklaces; however, we suggest a new interpretation by they could be beads crafted using the granulation technique, deriving from the Hebrew root “n-t-f,” meaning drops.