Metal Detector Group Strikes Gold in Poland
A group passionate about metal detecting recently embarked on a memorable summer journey through the Polish countryside, leading to an astonishing discovery: a treasure trove of ancient coins and gold.
Denar Karis, a metal detection group from the central Polish city of Kalisz, uncovered a pot brimming with coins along with hundreds of grams of gold. The president of the organization, Przemysław Kurowiak, shared that they’ve been treasure hunting for over 20 years before this remarkable find.
The team originally set out to locate a German V-2 rocket when they stumbled upon their first treasure. “Our group is made up of friends who enjoy revealing history,” Kurowiak explained. “It’s just a hobby for us.”
The initial discovery occurred on June 7, when group member Hubert Piasecki found a clay pot filled with an array of treasures. “It contained coins, ornaments, and silver ingots, totaling 631 artifacts,” Kurowiak noted. Among the items were various foreign coins, including British, German, Hungarian, and Czech currencies.
A few weeks later, on June 28, another member, Michał Makuch, discovered a pot full of early medieval coins. Although the group hasn’t fully opened this container yet, scans indicate that it is filled with silver coins.
As if the luck hadn’t run out, they struck gold again—a remarkable find from about 1,800 years ago, a gold necklace weighing 222 grams from the Roman period. Kurowiak described this second discovery as a tremendous surprise. “We went from looking for rockets to becoming treasure hunters purely by accident,” he reflected.
These enthusiasts collaborated with professional archaeologists during their excavation, ensuring that all artifacts are turned over to the guardians of Polish heritage and eventually to the Kalisz Regional Museum.
Kurowiak expressed pride in their accomplishments, noting that they have garnered international support, even from fans in the U.S. “This validation gives us confidence that what we’re doing is significant,” he said.
Interestingly, Poland has witnessed a flurry of archaeological finds recently. In Gdansk, an elite burial was uncovered beneath a former ice cream shop, and a historical ring was found at the Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow just this summer.
