Archaeologists in the Czech Republic have uncovered a trove of artefacts, including weapons and jewellery dating back 3,600 years.
Researchers were investigating the town of Budinje nad Offri, about 40 miles from Prague, in 2023 when they found eight axes, a spearhead, eight bracelets and two pins, Prague Morning reported. report Thursday.
The artefacts are thought to date from the Bronze Age, between 3300 and 1200 BC, according to the media, a time when tool-making in Europe changed, as people began using bronze, an alloy made from copper and tin, instead of stone, the media said.
Martin Treffny, professor at the Jan Evangelista Purkinje University and the Lieb Regional Museum and curator of the treasure, said: Said Explore the features behind these artifacts with Live Science. (Related article: Archaeologists discover 3,500-year-old shopping list)
“The axe could have been used both as a tool and as a weapon, a function that also applies to the spearhead,” Trefney told the outlet. “The bracelet was a forearm decoration, while the pin was used to fasten clothing or, for example, to style women’s hair.”
3,600-year-old hoard of gems and weapons discovered beneath field in Czech Republic https://t.co/PIiKzvtzZL
— Live Science (@LiveScience) July 31, 2024
Researchers say the items were buried underground intentionally, and there are three different theories as to why.
“In the first case, the treasure is presumed to have functioned as a votive offering, that is, used as an offering to the gods,” Trefney told LiveScience. “In the second case, we’re talking about an economic function, and the treasure is interpreted as, for example, a repository for the manufacturer of certain items.”
Another theory is that the artifacts may have been buried “due to a critical situation, when it was necessary to hide items, for example from enemies,” he told the media.
Trefney told Live Science that the collection “helps us understand warfare, craft techniques and contemporary fashion of the time.”
“Given that these artifacts may have ritual significance, they may also shed a little light on modern religions,” he added.
According to the Prague Morning newspaper, the items will soon be exhibited at the Podlipske Museum in Roudnice nad Labem, Czech Republic.
