Archaeologists working at the excavations of an ancient settlement located near present-day Anapa in southern Russia discovered an exceptional bronze ring inscribed with the image of Arsinoe III—queen of Ptolemaic Egypt. This 2,200-year-old item represents a rare source of information about cultural and commercial perspectives of the Hellenistic period, connecting the Black Sea coast with the Nile Valley. The discovery took place during excavations at the Voskresenskoye 6 archaeological site that illuminated some issues of the ancient region.
The large cast bronze ring, which features an oval bezel and wide shank, was found in a pit that contained dozens of ceramic fragments belonging to the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. The study published in the Problemy istorii, filologii, kul'tury journal states that the female profile depicted on the bronze ring has particular traits such as typical hairstyle with long curved locks and a rounded bun which serves as a confirmation of identity and correlates with other various images of Arsinoe III. She governed the territory of Ptolemaic Egypt with her brother husband Ptolemy IV Philopator from 220 to 204 BC.
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Gold oktadrachm coin depicting the bust of Queen Arsinoe III of Egypt, 221-204 BC. (ArchaiOptix/CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Bosporan Kingdom Connection
The area around Anapa was once the site of ancient Gorgippia, a prominent city on the Asian side of the Bosporan Kingdom. This Hellenistic state served as a crucial crossroads where Greek, local, and steppe traditions converged through trade and diplomacy. The presence of a ring bearing the image of an Egyptian queen in this remote northern outpost highlights the extensive connections between the Bosporan Kingdom and the Mediterranean world.
Researchers have proposed several theories to explain how this "Ptolemaic-type" ring ended up near the Black Sea. It may have been brought back by Bosporan mercenaries who served in the armies of the Egyptian kings, or it could have been a prestigious gift given to local elites involved in the lucrative grain trade. Alternatively, the ring might be connected to diplomatic exchanges between the two powers or the spread of Egyptian religious cults into the region.
The archaeological reserve of ancient Gorgippia in modern-day Anapa, Russia. (Art-top/CC BY 3.0)
A Rare and Significant Find
Rings of this specific type are exceedingly rare. According to the researchers, only six examples featuring Arsinoe III with this distinct bun hairstyle are known to exist. Three of these have been found in the Bosporan region, including the recent discovery near Gorgippia and another from Panticapaeum, the kingdom's capital. The remaining three were discovered in Maeotian burial grounds in the Trans-Kuban area. The fact that these ancient rings were cast from leaded tin bronze suggests they may have been mass-produced to some extent, perhaps as tokens of loyalty or political affiliation.
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Map showing the growth and extent of the Bosporan Kingdom, which encompassed ancient Gorgippia (modern Anapa). (Morningstar1814 / CC BY-SA 4.0)
The discovery of the Arsinoe III ring at Voskresenskoye 6 is particularly significant because it was found in a well-dated archaeological context. The associated ceramic fragments, which include pieces of amphorae and tableware, firmly place the find within the 4th to 3rd centuries BC. This aligns perfectly with the reign of the Ptolemaic queen, suggesting that the portrait was likely created during her lifetime.
As excavations continue in the region, archaeologists hope to uncover more artifacts that will further illuminate the complex web of interactions that defined the ancient world. The Arsinoe III ring serves as a tangible reminder that even thousands of years ago, people and ideas traveled vast distances, connecting disparate cultures in unexpected ways.
Top image: The 2,200-year-old bronze ring bearing the portrait of Egyptian Queen Arsinoe III, discovered near Anapa, Russia. Source: Treister et al., 2026
By Gary Manners
References
Altuntaş, L. 2026. Rare 2,200-Year-Old Ring Bearing Portrait of Egyptian Queen Arsinoe III Found in Russia. Arkeonews. Available at: https://arkeonews.net/rare-2200-year-old-ring-bearing-portrait-of-egyptian-queen-arsinoe-iii-found-in-russia/
Treister, M. Yu., Rukavishnikova, I. V., & Beylin, D. V. 2026. A Bronze Ring with a Portrait of Arsinoe III from the Excavations of the Settlement of Voskresensky-6 Estate in the Anapa Region. Problems of History, Philology and Culture. Available at: https://pifk.magtu.ru/%D0%B6%D1%83%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB/95-%E2%84%961-91-,-2026/1808-161.html
