Medieval silver treasure found on Gotland
A silver treasure from the 12th century has been found on the Baltic island Gotland, where over 600 pieces of silver coins have been unearthed, according to reports in local media.
“This is an amazing find. It’s unbelievable that treasures of this scale exist here on Gotland,” Marie Louise Hellquist of Gotland’s County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) told local newspaper Hela Gotland.
The medieval treasure was uncovered last Monday, as the landowner was moving soil. Some 500 pieces of coin were discovered in the field, and following further searches conducted once archaeologists arrived on Wednesday, that figure has swollen considerably.
“In total we’ve reached 650 pieces, so far,” Hellquist said.
Silver coins were not the only items discovered, as both jewellery and a raw silver artefact, which archaeologists believe to be part of an ancient axe, have been found at the site.
All the items are believed to be from the 12th century.
“We’ve found coins dated 1130,” Hellquist said.
It’s still too soon to say what the treasure may be worth, she pointed out.
“First the coin specialists have to go through the coins and see how unusual they are,” she said to Hela Gotland, noting that she hoped the find will remain on the island, in Gotland’s museum.
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“This is an amazing find. It’s unbelievable that treasures of this scale exist here on Gotland,” Marie Louise Hellquist of Gotland’s County Administrative Board (Länsstyrelsen) told local newspaper Hela Gotland.
The medieval treasure was uncovered last Monday, as the landowner was moving soil. Some 500 pieces of coin were discovered in the field, and following further searches conducted once archaeologists arrived on Wednesday, that figure has swollen considerably.
“In total we’ve reached 650 pieces, so far,” Hellquist said.
Silver coins were not the only items discovered, as both jewellery and a raw silver artefact, which archaeologists believe to be part of an ancient axe, have been found at the site.
All the items are believed to be from the 12th century.
“We’ve found coins dated 1130,” Hellquist said.
It’s still too soon to say what the treasure may be worth, she pointed out.
“First the coin specialists have to go through the coins and see how unusual they are,” she said to Hela Gotland, noting that she hoped the find will remain on the island, in Gotland’s museum.
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