Archaeologists in the Czech Republic have unearthed an unprecedented discovery at a Celtic settlement, revealing over 22,000 bags of artifacts from the La Tène period. The site, located along the route of a future highway, has yielded an exceptional collection of gold coins, jewelry, pottery, and other items, marking one of the largest archaeological finds in the country’s history. Officials from the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové described the find as ‘exceptional,’ emphasizing its significance as a key trade and production center during the second century B.C.
This Celtic settlement, which peaked during the La Tène period, is believed to have served as a ‘supra-regional trade and production center’ that connected Central Europe to distant parts of the ancient world. The site is also noted for its unique characteristics, including the discovery of gold and silver coins, amber, and evidence of luxury pottery production. Additionally, the excavations uncovered numerous metal objects, ceramic vessel fragments, and remnants of dwellings and production facilities, including one or two likely sanctuaries.
Researchers were stunned by the sheer volume of artifacts found at the site, with even the top layer of soil containing more material than the preserved structures below. The museum’s statement translated from Czech to English highlighted that the site represents one of the largest assemblages of artifacts ever uncovered in the Czech Republic, describing it as ‘entirely exceptional.’ The find has been praised for its scale and the breadth of its content, which includes everyday objects as well as extraordinary collections of jewelry.
Notably, the settlement was unfortified, a characteristic that intrigued the archaeologists. The discovery has been compared to significant central agglomerations known from the Middle Danube region and southern Germany. This finding underscores the importance of the site in understanding the region’s ancient economic and cultural networks. The Czech Republic has seen numerous exciting archaeological discoveries recently, including a mysterious gold-filled treasure trove found by a hiker and 2,150 medieval silver coins discovered by a woman walking in the Central Bohemian Region.