The present information is the first attempt to comprehend the Haifa University ancient jewelry collection, as well as stone, bone and glass adornment as a whole. It will be recalled that the museum was founded in 1984 by Reuben and Edith Hecht, whose rich art collection gave name to the museum. Diverse relics and monuments of history, archaeology, culture and art from the Canaanite period (3150-2200 BC) to XX century, presented mostly by paintings in separate Gallery wing form the present museum exposition. Jewelry monuments are in the first and second floor show cases naturally supplementing the other archaeological findings.

Jewelry, as known, belongs to the decorative-applied types of plastic arts. The art language of jewelry is fairly complicated and difficult to interpret.  Like the conventional ancient languages such Hebrew, Aramaic, Persian, Greek and Latin that predominated over the others in certain historic epochs, the art of jewelry is changeable and developing system with its own specific structure, forms ,ways of development and even phases of genesis. The letters are connected with its stylistic revolution from the Early Oriental to Hellenistic-Romanian trends. Together with its external beauty properties, every jewelry object has a second, internal life caused by its semantic significance and perceived through the mind, intuition or aesthetic sense.

Publications on the Israelite jewelry articles are not very numerous despite their important role in the socio-cultural life of ancient civilizations. Just like many years ago, men and women are currently pleased to wear jewelry articles that can be seen not only due to the variety of jewelry shops present, but also due to the popularity of jeweler profession for Jews.

 If attempt is made to create a presentation on jewelry articles and adornments of ancient Israel, this paper of ten sections, including the following:

“Earrings collection”, ”Metal and glass bracelets”, “Diadems”, “Finger rings”, “Neck jewelry”,” Clothes’ adornments”, “Articles of bone and stone”.

Each of this sections prefaced with a small review of specific type of jewelry is determined by wearing principles and then by material criteria, gold, silver and bronze articles  considered first. Each section accompanied by tables, pictures and photos. In the catalogue articles presented in the focus of their artistic features, according to chronological principles. Taking into account integrative aspects of jewelry objects in the ancient art system, their depiction means not only analyze the historical and cultural situation, but also the economical, political and social sides of ancient civilizations, as well as their symbolism and semantics

In the course of the collection’s formation, archaeological funds, together with the purchases from Israelite markets and gifts from various donators were used. By the items presented in the exposition, one may judgments regarding jewelry development in the territory of the old Israel as a united process.

“Technique” possibilities of old craftsmen are fairly wide. Thus, one may find not only casting, granulation, filigree and inlay, but also metal, glass and bone treatments such as incision and drilling.

Old artisans skillfully applied diverse methods of detail junction such as soldering and passing through. So, for example, smiting of gold sheets that gave to the metal and additional durability required considerable training from jewelers.

Precious or semi-precious stones adorned metal articles (rings, earrings, pendants).Among them stones were: garnet, ruby, carnelian, pearl, mother-of-pearl and emerald. Designed for a wide circle of readers, interested is one of the most ancient types of human creativity, the catalogue may be useful for historians and surely jewelers from the position of development of traditions and the transformation of forms and symbols.

As a part of all cultural-historic processes, jewelry art is a perfect source to be used in studying the fates of early civilizations. It is known that the territories of Israel were not fields of precious stones and so this subject becomes more urgent in the light of old economic, political and cultural interrelations in the ancient world.

The history of the old Israel goes back to the Stone age- 1.500.000 years before present – 4.500 BC (Paleolithic, Naturian culture, Neolithic making of pottery); Chalcolithic c.4.500-3.150 BC- advanced crafts appeared; Bronze age (Canaanite) 3.150-1.200 BC (Early bronze, Middle bronze, Late Bronze- Exodus of Israelites from Egypt); Iron age (Israelite) 1.200-586 BC (First Temple period) 960-586 BC, Persian period 586-332 BC (Second Temple)586-332 BC,  Hellenistic period 332-63BC,Hasmonean (Maccabe) period 167-37 BC, Roman period 63 BC-324 AD (Herodian period; Age of Mishna and Talmud); Byzantine period 324-640

Using this chronological table we may judge the variety of historic periods and their political features. Required and forced contracts with other people are reflected in adornments and jewelry as a whole. Exodus from Egypt, Achaemenian power, Hellenization and Roman conquest as well as Byzantine period, left behind many traces. At the same time in spite of great deal of forbidden depictive motives in the art/jewelry articles, local emblems such as pomegranates, grapes clusters,shofar, lulav and menorah are presented, showing an adherence to traditions.

Influenced by techniques and artistic achievements of Persians, Hellins, Romans and Byzantines- Israelis manufactured men’s, women’s and teenager’s adornments. Their subjects, motives, shapes and weight provide such evidence.

In the Tanach (The Old Testament) frequent are descriptions of types, shapes and scenes dedicated to jewelry articles and their social functions in Israeli people’s lives. (See “Exodus” -31/32;33/46;35/22- “Isaiah”-3/18, 20- “Genesis” 41/42; “Esther”-8/8; “Song of songs” 7/2 etc)

The geography of finds forming the collection embraces southern territories of Israel, particularly areas of Jerusalem, that had a traditionally played a leading role in the political-economical life of ancient Israel.

The study of jewelry as an art provides a substantial outlook of the spiritual history of humankind and gives an opportunity to reconstruct the social-ritual and technology models using modern conceptual and technological means.