Chrysoprase gem: Chnoubis-sign (A), Chnoubis (B)
Green chrysoprase gem; both faces upright oval, side A slightly convex, side B flat. (Shape 6). Intact.
Found in grave T30 of the cemetery on Agios Konstantinos Hill, together with vessels and coins dated from the turn of the 1st–2nd century AD to the mid-3rd century AD. The gem was discovered "on the skull of one of the burials" (Papastathopoulou 2025, 444).
The gem is of particular interest because it was found intact within a closed context, suggesting that it was not set in a mount, or at least not in an archaeologically recognisable form.
Side A: In the middle of the field, Choubis-sign. Around the edge, Greek inscription: σορροορμερριοφεργαρ[βαρ]μαγρο; above and below the Choubis-sign: υρι|νγσ → variant of σοροορ-logos.
Side B: Chnoubis with lion-head in profile to the left, head encircled with 12 rays. In front of its nose, two strokes (breathing fire?). On its two sides and below: χν ο|υμι → Χνούμι(ς).
A. Papastathopoulou
w/ Phoinix-team, 2025
Selected bibliography
• Papastathopoulou 2025 >> (likely belonged to a woman).
Commentary
• The end of the σοροορ-logos (υριγξ) is spelt on the gem as it is pronounced: υρινγς.
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