Latest news with #MuseumofEasternBohemia
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
2,200-year-old Celtic settlement discovered in Czech Republic — and it's awash in gold and silver coins
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A 2,200-year-old Celtic settlement containing several hundred coins and over 1,000 pieces of jewelry has been discovered in the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. The site, "unparalleled in its scale and character in Bohemia," held a vast number of ancient riches, including amber and fine pottery, Museum of Eastern Bohemia representatives said in a translated statement. The site was not fortified, suggesting that the people who lived were major players in regional trade. The settlement was discovered by archaeologists who were surveying the area before a motorway was built. In addition to the valuable artifacts, they found the remains of buildings, including dwellings, production facilities and at least one religious sanctuary, according to the statement. The settlement, near the city of Hradec Králové in the north-central Czech Republic, was large — about 62 acres (25 hectares), or about the size of nearly 47 American football fields, said Tomáš Mangel, a professor of archaeology at the University of Hradec Králové who is co-leading the excavation. Some of the coins are silver, and some are gold, the statement said. While it's not yet clear exactly how many coins have been found, there appear to be several hundred, Mangel told Live Science in an email. The jewelry includes "pieces of bronze and iron brooches, fragments of armlets, metallic components of belts, glass beads and armlets," Mangel said. The site dates to the La Tène culture, an Iron Age culture that flourished in parts of Europe from roughly 450 to 40 B.C. The culture is generally associated with the Celts and has similarities in the crafting of its art and artifacts, many of which have anthropomorphic designs. The newly found settlement helps us better understand how settlements were organized between the third century and the first century B.C., Mangel said. Related: Were the Celts matriarchal? Ancient DNA reveals men married into local, powerful female lineages Image 1 of 4 A piece of pottery depicting a horse was found at the settlement. The people appear to have made luxurious ceramics, possibly for trade. Image 2 of 4 The coins were found throughout the Celtic settlement. Image 3 of 4 The remains of a number of structures were found during the excavations, which were conducted before a new motorway was built in the area. Image 4 of 4 The ancient Celtic site is spread across roughly 62 acres (25 hectares). Who lived here? Historically, the Celts were different groups that lived across continental Europe, including the Gauls in France and the Celtiberians in Iberia. Traditionally, the Celtic people who lived in Bohemia were believed to be from a tribe called the Boii. However, Mangel said we cannot be sure that the Boii actually lived at the newfound site. There were other Celtic groups that lived in the region and no inscriptions have been found at the site that tell us who exactly was living there. "Bohemia is traditionally really connected with [the] Boii," Mangel said. "But the research [done recently] shows that we can only say that [the] Boii were settled somewhere in Central Europe." While some researchers used to think the name "Bohemia" came from the word "Boii," he said, the two words may not be directly related. The name Boii was connected to Boiohaemum, which was an ancient name for the region, Mangel said. The name Boiohaemum was in turn connected to Bohemia, which today is part of the Czech Republic. The "connection Boii - Boiohaemum - Bohemia - Czech Republic is rather cliché based on misinterpretations of historical sources in the 19th and earlier 20th [century]," Mangel said. "It is simply not correct." "Amber route corridor" The discovery of the rich artifacts, including the amber and fine pottery, suggests that the people who lived there likely traded amber and other products on routes across Europe, the statement said, noting that luxurious ceramics may have been made at the settlement. RELATED STORIES —Early Celtic elites inherited power through maternal lines, ancient DNA reveals —2,300-year-old Celtic helmet discovered in Poland —2,300-year-old glass workshop littered with Celtic coins is oldest known north of the Alps Maciej Karwowski, an archaeologist at the University of Vienna who was not involved with the excavation, told Live Science in an email that "the newly discovered site is particularly interesting." It is similar to other settlements found on the "amber route corridor," Karwowski said. This trade system transported amber from the Baltic and North seas to Central Europe during this time period. A museum exhibit featuring some of the artifacts from the settlement will debut during the winter holidays, the statement said. Celtic quiz: Test your knowledge about these fierce tribes once described by Julius Caesar Solve the daily Crossword
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Mysterious gold stash found in Czech mountains leaves researchers perplexed
A mysterious box filled with gold coins and other valuable items has been found by hikers in the Krkonoše Mountains in the Czech Republic, CNN reported on Sunday. The total value of the discovery is estimated to be at least $360,000, but experts are unsure where it came from. The box was spotted by two hikers while they were walking on a trail. It was partly sticking out of a stone wall. Inside, they found 598 gold coins, gold bracelets, cigar cases, a powder compact and other metal items. The hikers brought the box to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové. The museum's experts are now studying the contents. Miroslav Novák, head of the archaeology department, told CNN that the coins were not from the local area. This has led to questions about who owned the items and why they were hidden. 'The items are valuable, but we do not yet know who put them there or why,' Novák said. 'The newest coin in the collection is from 1921. That makes it more difficult to connect the stash to a specific event.' One possible explanation, according to Novák, is that the stash could be linked to the movements of people during the early 20th century. He said it may be connected to the departure of Czech or Jewish families before World War II or the mass movement of German people after 1945. However, without further evidence, this remains only a theory. 'The public is also very curious,' Novák told CNN. 'People in the community have been sharing their own ideas about where it may have come from.' Some of the items were stored in old cigar boxes, some of which are still closed. Museum staff are being careful while handling them to avoid any damage. They are also testing the exact materials of the objects. 'It's important to take time to study the find carefully,' said Novák. 'We want to understand not just the value, but also the story behind it.' The discovery has attracted attention from across the country. Museum officials said they plan to display the objects in the future once their study is complete. Until then, the items will stay in a secure location. This kind of find is rare, and it has raised interest among both researchers and the public. For now, the gold and coins remain a mystery. As Novák said, 'This is a puzzle from the past. We hope the items will help us understand more about the people who lived here a century ago.'
Mint
22-05-2025
- General
- Mint
Hikers find mystery box full of 3.7kg gold coins, 100-year-old jewellery worth ₹3 crore
Two hikers in the Krkonose Mountains of the Czech Republic found a mystery box. It was full of gold coins, jewellery and other items. The anonymous hikers found the mystery box while walking through a forest. The aluminium box contained 598 gold coins, 10 gold bracelets, 17 cigar cases, a powder compact, and a comb. The hikers gave the treasure to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Kralove. Experts believe the items are around 100 years old as one coin is from 1921. The treasure may have been hidden during the tense times before World War II, either by Czech and Jewish families leaving the area or by Germans in 1945. 'The finders came to our museum's numismatist (coin expert) without a prior appointment. Only after that did archaeologists begin to deal with the find and set out to explore the site,' Miroslav Novak, the head of the archaeological department at the museum, told CNN in an email. 'It is most likely related to the turbulent period before the start of World War II, when the Czech and Jewish population was leaving the border area, or to 1945, when the Germans were leaving,' Novak added. The exact reason why and who hid the treasure is still a mystery. Archaeologists are now studying the site and its items to learn more. This lucky discovery has caught the attention of both experts and the public. The gold stash is worth about $360,000 (over ₹ 3 crore) just for its coin value. The coins weigh 3.7 kg and are mostly of Balkan and French origin. Oddly, no local or German coins were found. Two cigar cases in the box are still sealed. Locals have shared many theories about the treasure's origin. Some believe it belonged to a rich family while others say it could be war loot from Czechoslovak soldiers. The latest coin in the treasure found in the Czech forest is from 1921. Referring to that, historian Mary Heimann says this was a time of financial crisis and instability in Czechoslovakia. So, it's not surprising someone may have hidden gold then. She doubts the treasure was hidden in 1945 as no coins from that time were found. The person might have been a collector, a museum worker or even a thief. '(The person who hid the coins) could have been a collector or someone who worked in museums. Or someone who stole a collection from somewhere. This is borderland territory, it separates what's today the Czech Republic — what was in the past Czechoslovakia — from Poland,' Heimann told the publication.
Mint
22-05-2025
- General
- Mint
Hikers find mystery box full of 3.7kg gold coins, 100-year-old jewellery worth ₹3 crore
Two hikers in the Krkonose Mountains of the Czech Republic found a mystery box. It was full of gold coins, jewellery and other items. The anonymous hikers found the mystery box while walking through a forest. The aluminium box contained 598 gold coins, 10 gold bracelets, 17 cigar cases, a powder compact, and a comb. The hikers gave the treasure to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Kralove. Experts believe the items are around 100 years old as one coin is from 1921. The treasure may have been hidden during the tense times before World War II, either by Czech and Jewish families leaving the area or by Germans in 1945. 'The finders came to our museum's numismatist (coin expert) without a prior appointment. Only after that did archaeologists begin to deal with the find and set out to explore the site,' Miroslav Novak, the head of the archaeological department at the museum, told CNN in an email. 'It is most likely related to the turbulent period before the start of World War II, when the Czech and Jewish population was leaving the border area, or to 1945, when the Germans were leaving,' Novak added. The exact reason why and who hid the treasure is still a mystery. Archaeologists are now studying the site and its items to learn more. This lucky discovery has caught the attention of both experts and the public. The gold stash is worth about $360,000 (over ₹ 3 crore) just for its coin value. The coins weigh 3.7 kg and are mostly of Balkan and French origin. Oddly, no local or German coins were found. Two cigar cases in the box are still sealed. Locals have shared many theories about the treasure's origin. Some believe it belonged to a rich family while others say it could be war loot from Czechoslovak soldiers. The latest coin in the treasure found in the Czech forest is from 1921. Referring to that, historian Mary Heimann says this was a time of financial crisis and instability in Czechoslovakia. So, it's not surprising someone may have hidden gold then. She doubts the treasure was hidden in 1945 as no coins from that time were found. The person might have been a collector, a museum worker or even a thief. '(The person who hid the coins) could have been a collector or someone who worked in museums. Or someone who stole a collection from somewhere. This is borderland territory, it separates what's today the Czech Republic — what was in the past Czechoslovakia — from Poland,' Heimann told the publication. Once tests are done, the treasure will be kept in the museum. By law, it belongs to the local government. However, the finders will receive a reward.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Hikers find mysterious stash of gold hidden on a mountain trail
Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. (CNN) — Ten gold bracelets, 17 cigar cases, a powder compact, a comb, and a whopping 598 gold coins: The items are all part of a valuable and somewhat mysterious stash, found by chance by two hikers in the northeastern Czech Republic. The hikers, who wish to remain anonymous, were taking a shortcut through the forest in the Krkonoše Mountains — a popular hiking spot — when they saw an aluminum box sticking out of a stony wall. After they opened it and discovered the loot, they immediately took it to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia, in the nearby town of Hradec Králové, according to Miroslav Novak, the head of the archaeological department at the museum. 'The finders came to our museum's numismatist (coin expert) without a prior appointment. Only after that did archaeologists begin to deal with the find and set out to explore the site,' Novak told CNN in an email. Who may have hidden the treasure and why is still up for debate, but one thing is certain: The stash can't be more than about a century old, because one of the coins is dated 1921. As for the rest, there are only hypotheses, for now. 'It is most likely related to the turbulent period before the start of World War II, when the Czech and Jewish population was leaving the border area, or to 1945, when the Germans were leaving,' Novak said. A complete historical appraisal of the stash is still ongoing, and two of the cigar cases are tightly shut and remain unopened, but the metal value of the gold coins alone — which weigh 3.7 kilograms, or 8.16 pounds — is 8 million Czech koruna, or about $360,000, according to the museum's coin expert, Vojtěch Brádle. The finding has sparked interest in the surrounding community, and Novak says the museum is getting calls with 'various local rumors,' which he hopes could help solve the riddle of the gold's origin. Speculation is fueled by the fact that, oddly, there are no local coins in the mix. 'Half are of Balkan origin and the other half of French origin,' Novak said. 'Central European coins, such as German ones, are completely missing. But the find is located on the former ethnic border between the Czech and German populations.' Among the theories submitted by the public, Novak said, is one that traces the ownership of the coins back to wealthy families from the surrounding area, such as the the Swéerts-Špork family, the owners of the Kuks estate, a large baroque complex overlooking the Elbe River that includes a summer residence, a spa and a monastery. Another suggests the cache could be war spoils of Czechoslovak legionnaires. Findings like this are not especially common for the area, Novak noted. 'About nine kilometers southeast, a hoard of 2,700 silver denarii (a type of European trade coin) from the 12th century was found ten years ago,' he said by email. 'Many residents left this area during the 20th century, which is why there are many abandoned farms here.' Vojtěch Brádle agreed that the makeup of the stash is unusual. 'Usually, Czech finds from the 20th century mainly contain German and Czechoslovak coins. There is not a single one here,' he said. 'Most of the pieces from this treasure did not travel directly to Bohemia. They must have been somewhere in the Balkan Peninsula after the First World War. Some of the coins have countermarks from the former Yugoslavia. These were only minted on coins sometime in the 1920s or 1930s. At the moment, I do not know of any other Czech find that would contain coins with these countermarks.' More research is required, he added, to understand the metal composition of the remaining items, and obtain a more accurate overall value. It's significant that the most recent coin in the stash is from 1921, according to Mary Heimann, a professor of modern history and an expert of Czechoslovak history at the University of Cardiff in the United Kingdom. That was the year the Soviet-Polish War ended when the Treaty of Riga was signed, she said, but it was also a year of financial crisis in Czechoslovakia, the former state that separated peacefully into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. 'It was an unstable period, there was a downturn in the economy and widespread unemployment. For that reason, it's not that surprising somebody would think of burying a stash of gold at that time,' she added. Despite Novak's suggestions the stash was likely left around 1945, Heimann thinks that if that were the case, more recent coins would probably be in the mix. The absence of local currency, however, makes things murkier. '(The person who hid the coins) could have been a collector, or someone who worked in museums. Or someone who stole a collection from somewhere. This is borderland territory, it separates what's today the Czech Republic — what was in the past Czechoslovakia — from Poland,' Heimann said. 'The first World War didn't end overnight, the ramifications were still being felt everywhere. There was still instability of borders, there was still economic crisis, there was quite a lot of crime. I suppose you might expect that in those border regions and in places of mixed ethnicity, there would be particularly high tension. So it might be that someone could be more frightened of the future if they lived in those areas than someone who lived elsewhere.' Once the items have undergone further material analysis, they will be preserved and stored in the museum's coin collection. A short exhibition is planned for the fall. And then, who will get to keep the loot? According to Czech law, Novak said, archaeological finds are the property of the local regional administration from the moment of discovery. 'In this case, the treasure was correctly handed over to the museum,' he said. 'The finder is entitled to a financial reward, which depends on the value of the metal or historical appraisal.'
