Archaeologists conducting a routine survey in a field in Czechia (or the Czech Republic) have unearthed a significant hoard of Bronze Age artifacts, eight arm rings, two pins, eight axes, and a spearhead. Using metal detectors, the items have been dated to around 1600 BC, the time of the Bronze Age, at a site near Budyně nad Ohří, approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of Prague.

Unhoarding the Hoard: Votive Gifts to the Gods?

Radio Prague International reported that the items, could hold a value of “millions of crowns,” with one million Czech crowns (koruna) equating to about $42,500!

Researchers are still uncertain about the reasons behind the hoard’s burial but have suggested three possible explanations, according to Martin Trefný, archaeologist and head of the Museum of Podřipsko in Roudnice nad Labem, and associate professor at the University of Jan Evangelista Purkyně.

“First, such hoards could be used as votive gifts, or gifts to the deities. The second theory is that the hoard is the result of some incident that happened in the village. For instance, the village could have been attacked by enemies and because the items are really valuable, people wanted to hide their property to prevent it from being stolen by the enemy. The third theory is that it could be a storage pit of some producer or a trader,” he explained.

A showcase for Early-Mid Bronze Age metalworking. (Lucie Heyzlová/Český rozhlas/Podřipské Museum)

The artifacts showcase the technological prowess of bronze casters and processors in Central Europe 3,500 years ago, i.e., the Middle Bronze Age and Early Bronze Age. Trefný explained that although more valuable hoards have been uncovered in Czechia before, it’s really been the historical and scientific value of the current hoard that surpass every other quantifier. Due to the potential ritual significance that hoards generally carry, the possibilities of the association with ritual religion cannot be ignored.

“Most items are characteristic of the Middle Bronze Age, with only one ax belonging to the earlier period. Axes could have been used as tools or weapons. The latter function also applies to the spearhead. Bracelets were forearm ornaments, and pins served either to fasten clothing or, for example, to style women’s hair,” Trefný told Live Science.

In the near future, these items will be displayed at the Podřipské Museum, located around 30 miles (50 km) north of Prague. For now, the exact location of the discovery will be kept secret to prevent amateur treasure hunters from disrupting the site, and the valuable items are slated to go undergo extensive conservation treatment.

Bronze spearhead and ax head from the hoard. (Lucie Heyzlová/Český rozhlas/Podřipské Museum)

Bronze Age in Czechia: A Primer

The Bronze Age in the region now known as Czechia, approximately spanning from 2300 to 800 BC, was a period marked by profound technological and cultural advancements, predominantly the transition from the use of stone to bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, which revolutionized tool and weapon making.

Throughout the Bronze Age, Czechia experienced increased social complexity and economic development. Trade networks expanded, facilitating the exchange of goods such as metals, pottery, and luxury items across Europe. Settlements grew larger and more complex, with evidence of specialized production areas for metallurgy, pottery, and textiles. The construction of large, fortified settlements suggests a need for defense and centralized control, indicating the presence of more hierarchical and organized societies.

Notable archaeological sites from the Bronze Age in Czechia include Bohemia, the fortified settlement at Březno ,and the burial mounds of the Únětice and Tumulus cultures.

Other Recent Bronze Age Discoveries in Czechia

Last month, a team of archaeologists from the University of Hradec Králové (UHK) made a significant discovery in the Czech Republic’s eastern Bohemia region. While excavating along a highway, they uncovered a prehistoric burial mound dating from the 4th millennium BC, making it one of Europe’s earliest known funerary structures.

Before excavation, the monumental burial mound was invisible above ground. The dig revealed two central burials: human skeletons, both laid on their left sides facing north. The first skeleton was accompanied by a ceramic vessel, while the second was found with five chipped artifacts. Researchers believe that the orientation of the skeletons and the accompanying offerings provide valuable insights into the burial customs of the time, reports Euro News.

The burial mound showed signs of disturbance by a younger pit, which is suspected to be another burial site. Although no human bones were found in this pit, further analysis is needed to confirm its purpose. The discovery sheds light on prehistoric burial practices and the early development of funerary structures in Europe.