Bronze Age jewellery found in Slovakia

Archaeologists excavating in the village of Hozelec in northern Slovakia have unearthed a unique trove of jewellery believed to date from the Middle to Late Bronze Age.

Credit: TASR/Oliver Ondráš

Matúš Hudák, archaeologist of Spiš Museum in Spišská Nová Ves, said that small fragments of bronze spirals, funnel-shaped pins and three bronze discs had been recovered.

The funnel-like objects are somewhat unusual in that they are made of a white metal which may be due to a higher tin to bronze ratio of the alloy or possibly the result of 'etching' with organic acid or heating at high temperatures.

Credit: TASR/Oliver Ondráš

“It is proof of advanced metallurgic technologies that people did not often use and it is unique,” Hložek pointed out.

The remains of leather were also found attached to the spirals, funnels and discs suggesting that the items had been buried in a leather pouch. Three bronze disk-like objects appear to have been sewn at the top of the pouch and were likely used to keep it closed.

Credit: TASR/Oliver Ondráš

The finds were transported to the Technical Museum in Brno, where they underwent laboratory examination followed by intensive conservation work.

The organic remains were radiocarbon dated to approximately 3,000 years ago.

Credit: TASR/Oliver Ondráš

In addition to the jewellery, artefacts from later times were also discovered at the site, including Celtic buckles, a spade, and horseshoes from the Middle Ages, a 1616 solidus coin, a link chain, a copper hook, knives and other objects that were probably accidentally lost.

Source: The Slovak Spectator [December 07, 2018]