24-06-2025
Portugal's Cerveira turns 6th-century discovery into wearable heritage
A sixth-century bead known as the Conta de Cerveira, linked to the Germanic tribes who established kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsula between the 5th and 8th centuries, is now being revived as a piece of wearable heritage. The northern Portuguese town of Vila Nova de Cerveira, where the bead was discovered during an archaeological excavation in 1985, is launching gold and silver earrings inspired by the original artifact. These exclusive replicas—also available in gold-plated versions—are being offered through local jewelers and are already available for pre-order.
Now part of the town's heritage collection, the bead had been kept securely in municipal archives for decades. Thanks to its international biennale and creative community, Vila Nova de Cerveira is often referred to as the 'Village of the Arts.' Under the leadership of Mayor Rui Teixeira, Vila Nova de Cerveira is breathing new life into this 1,500-year-old symbol. The new earrings reflect the town's ongoing strategy to preserve and promote cultural heritage in a contemporary, accessible format.
The earrings aim to connect generations through meaningful design, available in two sizes—one mirroring the bead's original dimensions, and a smaller version tailored for younger wearers. The pieces are crafted in collaboration with local goldsmiths and can be made in gold, silver or gold-plated finishes.
This new launch builds on the success of a previous initiative: In 2024, the municipality unveiled a necklace based on the same bead, which was met with strong local interest. 'This initiative reaffirms our commitment to preserving and sharing our historical heritage,' said Mayor Rui Teixeira. 'By blending tradition, craftsmanship and modern aesthetics, we're creating a symbolic link across generations.'
'The success of the Conta de Cerveira municipal necklace exceeded expectations,' he added. 'It revealed a deep desire in the community to reconnect with our cultural identity. That enthusiasm encouraged us to go further—this time with earrings that appeal to a wider audience, including younger generations.'
'Our goal is to ensure that this ancient symbol is more than just an archaeological find,' Teixeira concluded. 'It becomes a lasting expression of our culture—wearable heritage that bridges generations through elegance, tradition and creative innovation.'
