A European woman recently stumbled upon buried treasure from the Middle Ages in what archaeologists call a once-in-a-decade discovery.
In a press release translated into English, the Institute of Archeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (ARUP) explained that the treasure was found by a woman walking through Kutná Hora. The city is located in the Central Bohemian region of the Czech Republic.
The treasure consisted of more than 2,150 silver coins, minted between 1085 and 1107. Experts believe they were made in Prague and imported to Bohemia.
“He [discovery was] “Made from a coin alloy that, in addition to silver, also contains a mixture of copper, lead and trace metals,” ARUP explained in the May 16 press release. “Determining this particular composition can also help determine the origin of the silver used.”
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A woman in the Czech Republic recently alerted authorities to an ancient treasure. (Institute of Archeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (ARUP))
Archaeologist Filip Velímský stated that the treasure was hidden during a time of political instability. The treasure was stored in a ceramic container that was destroyed over the years, but archaeologists discovered the bottom of the container.
“At that time there were disputes in the country between the members of the Přemysl dynasty over the princely throne of Prague.” the historian explained. ARUP says battles were common during the period and believes the deposit could have been cash “to pay salaries or war booty.”
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The discovery of the treasure is one of the largest archaeological finds of the last ten years, according to experts. (Institute of Archeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (ARUP))
Velímský added that the value of ancient coins was “unimaginable” at that time.
“Unfortunately, at the beginning of the 11th and 12th centuries we are missing data on the purchasing power of contemporary coins,” he explained. “But it was a huge amount, unimaginable and at the same time unattainable for an ordinary person. It can be compared to winning a million in the jackpot.”
Czech officials call the discovery “one of the biggest finds of the last decade.”
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The treasure consisted of more than 2,150 silver coins. minted between 1085 and 1107. The coins will be analyzed and archived. (Institute of Archeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (ARUP))
“More than 2,000 silver coins represented an enormous amount in their time,” says the ARUP press release.
Historians are now working to process the coins, including X-raying them and determining what material they are made of. The artifacts will then be displayed during an exhibit expected to debut in 2025.
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Archaeologists are working diligently to analyze and archive all the silver coins found, before putting them on display. (Institute of Archeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (ARUP))
Fox News Digital has contacted ARUP for comment.
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