Discovered a treasure trove of gold antiques weighing more than 100 grams

Amateur metal detectorists have unearthed Norway's largest gold treasure trove this century, dating back some 1,500 years.

Gold artifacts discovered by Erlend Bore using a metal detector. Photo: Archaeological Museum/UiS

Erlend Bore, a 51-year-old Norwegian man, discovered the gold treasure, including nine pendants with rare symbols, three gold rings and 10 gold bars, while exploring Rennesoy, a private island off the southwestern coast of Norway, Live Science reported on September 8. Bore used a newly purchased metal detector that beeped as it scanned the ground. After digging, he discovered the gold and quickly contacted local authorities.

Authorities said the hoard weighed about 3.5 ounces (100 grams). They also contacted the museum, where experts determined it dated to around 500 AD, during the Migration Period (also known as the Barbarian Invasion), when no Roman emperor ruled Western Europe. Considering the location of the Rennesoy hoard and comparing it to similar finds, associate professor Hakon Reiersen of the Archaeological Museum at the University of Stavanger suggested that the gold could have been hidden for safekeeping or as an offering to the gods in times of need.

"This is the discovery of the century for gold in Norway. Finding so much gold at once is extremely unusual," said Ole Madsen, director of the Archaeological Museum at the University of Stavanger.

Replica of the original shape of the necklace with nine gold pendants. Photo: Eli Gil Bell/Archaeological Museum/UiS

Although the pendants look like gold coins, they are actually called “bracteates” and were used as ornaments. In previous discoveries, bracteates have often had different designs. But this time, all nine bracteates depict the same image.

They once formed an eye-catching necklace, according to Reiersen. "This jewelry was made by skilled goldsmiths and worn by the most powerful people in society. Finding so many bracteatates is very rare. We haven't had a comparable find since the 19th century," Riersen added.

Thu Thao (According to Live Science )

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