US students find ancient Greek earring in Sicily

Students from Northern Illinois University (NIU) have found an exquisite gold earring dating from the ancient Greek period on an archaeological dig in Sicily.

According to anthropology professor Michael Kolb, who led this year's trip to the Italian island, the earring is a gold hoop twisted into the shape of a lion.

About 2.4 centimetres wide, the earring features a beaded wire filigree collar and is believed to be made of high-carat gold.

"The body is formed by gold tubes spiralled together, tapering to a point just before the lion's mouth. It weights about four grams of high carat gold," Mr Kolb told the Northern Star.

"It was found within a Hellenistic period house floor, probably dropped by its original owner and never recovered."

The anthropology professor added that the lion's head design is typical of the eastern Greek colonies which occupied Sicily, then known as Magna Grecia.

"The condition is exceptional, and it is a quite rare piece. Maybe only 15-20 are known in Italy. I would put it in a value range of [US] $1,500 - $5,000," Mr Kolb explained.

The earring will form the centrepiece of the contribution from NIU to a museum exhibition to be held in Trapani, Sicily, in September and October.