700 years ago, the best way to get rid of a political figure was to tip a drop of poison in his/her drink or the traditional knife in the back. In regards to poisoning, you might wonder how these assassins manage to get close to kings and queens without being caught. It’s simple really, all they needed was a ring, a simple ring with poisonous liquid inside.

Just recently, Bulgarian archaeologists have discovered a bronze ring that was used by assassins to poison political enemies in the most inconspicuous of ways possible. The ring has a tiny hole at the bottom for expelling poisonous substances into a glass of wine or in a plate of food. You have to admit, this is a clever idea, one that appears to have worked many times.

“It’s a unique ring. I have no doubts that the hole is there on purpose and the ring was worn on the right hand, because the hole was made in such a way so as to be covered by a finger, thus the poison could be dropped at a moment’s notice. Clearly, it was not worn constantly and would have been put on when necessary,” says Bonnie Petrunova, head of the dig and deputy director of the National Archaeology Institute and Museum.

The ring goes way back to the 14th century, which puts in on the same level of other jewelries found in the former medieval stronghold in Cape Kaliakra.

You wouldn’t want to make the wearer of this ring angry back in the day, for that tasty pork chops might be your last. We have to wonder though, who came up with this brilliant assassin’s weapon? And where can I get one? Not that I want to kill anyone. No, really. I wouldn’t hurt a fly.

[via Discovery News]