They Were Supposed to Be Building a Highway. Instead, They Found a Town Full of Treasure.

When you read this story you will learn:

• Archaeologists investigating a new highway route in the Czech Republic found that B.C. They came across a Celtic settlement dating back to the 2nd century.

• In one of the largest archaeological excavations ever conducted in Bohemia, teams found hundreds of gold and silver coins and valuable amber.

• The site’s production of luxury ceramics makes it an important part of the famous Amber Road trade route.

Discovered in present-day Czech Republic, BC. A 2nd-century Celtic settlement produced an impressive wealth of hundreds of people. gold and silver coins to precious amber and luxury ceramics (and possibly even a manufacturing facility that mass-produced them 2000 years ago).

The find comes as archaeologists are conducting research ahead of the construction of the D35 motorway, turning a routine construction requirement into what the team from the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Kralove calls “one of the largest collections of artifacts ever found in Bohemia.” expression.

There were no valuable coins or materials scattered around. The crew discovered numerous ancient buildings that constitute an entire settlement dating from the La Tene period. celtic community.

“The entire site is unique in its scale and character in Bohemia,” the statement says. “The settlement was a trans-regional trade and production center connected over long distances. trade routeAs evidenced by the discovery of amber, gold and silver coins and evidence of luxury ceramic production.

The team found gold and silver Celtic coins, coin molds, ceramic vessel fragments, housing foundations, manufacturing facilities and at least one religious sanctuary. With 22,000 bags filled with artworks from the region, it is one of the largest collections discovered in Bohemia, comprising both everyday objects and “an extraordinarily rich collection of jewellery”.

Tomas Mangel, professor and co-leader of the excavation at the Kralove University of Hradec, said: said Live Science He said there may have been hundreds of coin fragments and that the jewelry included “brooch fragments, bronze and iron brooch fragments, armlet fragments, metallic components of belts, glass beads and armlets.”

One thing the team has yet to find is any inscription indicating which Celtic group settled the area, although the Boii are known to have lived in the area. “Bohemia is traditionally really connected [the] “Boii,” said Mangel Live Science. “But research [done recently] It just shows that we can say [the] The Boii settled somewhere in Central Europe.”

Archaeologists said they were surprised by the unusual concentration of finds in the topsoil. “The information potential in the topsoil and subsoil horizons of the original surface of the settlement is completely beyond the standard,” they wrote. Another and coincidental surprise is that the site was not looted.

Lack of fortifications on the 62-decare area Iron Age siteIt is located near present-day Hradec Kralove in the north-central part. czech republicThe settlement of the La Tene period was probably an important trade route and existed in B.C. before the emergence of larger fortified settlements with central functions. It shows that it was active in the 2nd century.

The volume of fine pottery, coin production and amber further strengthens the belief that Celtic settlement played a crucial role in this period. Amber Road trade routeThe connectivity of settlements stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean made trade possible throughout Europe.

With such a rich history, the museum plans to open an exhibition in late 2025 to celebrate all things gold, silver and amber.

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