Fingerringe mit christlicher Symbolik der zweiten Hälfte des 6. und 7. Jhs. von der Krim. Mitteilungen zur Christlichen Archäologie|Mitteilungen zur Christlichen Archäologie 25|

Finger Rings from Crimea with Christian Symbols in the Second Half of the 6th and 7th Centuries Finger rings with Christian symbols were popular during the second half of 6th–7th centuries in the Crimea; these were imported from Byzantium and produced in local workshops using imported patterns. They are represented by four types: I – with the image of the cross; II – with the inscription “ΦΩС ΖΩΗ”; III – with the image of an angel / archangel; IV – with the image of the holy rider. The silver finger rings of types Ia, Ib and II undoubtedly belong to Byzantine products; the same is true for bronze products of types Ic and IIIa. Most likely, the rings with the formula “ΦΩС ΖΩΗ” were made in the jewelry workshops of Constantinople along with objects of the Christian cult, which bore the same inscription. The bronze rings of types IIIb and IV, on the plates of which the images of the holy rider or archangel are carved, were made by local craftsmen using Byzantine patterns. Finger rings from the Crimea with Christian symbols belonged to male soldiers and young women of high social status. Most of the rings came from female burials. In general women wore them around their hands, around the right index finger and in breast necklaces connecting fibulae. Ancient Christians believed that Christian symbols and plots on a rings shield would have the attributes of an amulet protecting the wearer from all kinds of misfortunes. Archaeologists allocate finger rings to the category of “small” finds. These “small” and often nondescript objects, however, are tangible reminders of people who once lived, thought, felt, asked for healing and sought protection from higher powers. The study of finger rings allows us not only to expand our knowledge of the jewelry that existed in the early Middle Ages, but also adds to our knowledge of daily life and the beliefs of the inhabitants of Crimea in the early Middle Ages. Such findings demonstrate the unity of culture in the Christian world and are a vivid example of the close economic and cultural ties of the Crimea with the Byzantine Empire in the early Middle Ages