Washington, Sep 22 - Archaeologists have uncovered a rare gemstone engraved with the portrait of Alexander the Great during excavations at Tel Dor in Israel.

This tiny gem was dug up by a volunteer during excavations by a team from the University of Washington-Seattle.

Jessica Nitschke, professor of classical archaeology at Georgetown University in Washington DC, identified the engraved motif as a bust of Alexander the Great.

'Despite its miniature dimensions -- the stone is less than a centimetre high and its width is less than half a centimetre, the engraver was able to depict the bust of Alexander on the gem without omitting any of the ruler's characteristics,' notes Ayelet Gilboa, professor of archaeology at the University of Haifa.

'The emperor is portrayed as young and forceful, with a strong chin, straight nose and long curly hair held in place by a diadem,' adds Gilboa.