25 Feb 2003 Treasure of Germanic weapons

A unique find of Germanic weapons was found in 2003 by Jaroslav Zvurský in a forest near Jirkov. Specifically, eleven iron spearheads or spears, five shield handle fittings, four shield buds and a broken sword from the second century. Experts call this depot the Treasure of Hradečná.

The treasure was probably part of a ritual. It is a completely unique find in the Czech Republic. According to archaeologist Lenka Ondráčková from the Chomutov Museum, it is exceptional mainly because of its composition. "Germanic weapons and armaments have never been found in such quantities on the territory of the Czech Republic," the archaeologist said.

The last time someone discovered similar artefacts was in the 1950s. But Ondráčková said they were only a few pieces. The archaeologist restored the treasure found near Jirkov. For example, she spent two years cleaning a rusty shield. The weapons were also twisted. Probably because they could not be used any more, or for ritual reasons - to die with their owners.

"This was done routinely. Either so that the weapons could no longer be used by anyone other than the original owner, or as a symbolic death. They were supposed to die together with the warrior," Ondráčková added.

The bent spikes could also have had a purely practical meaning. Ancient burials may have deformed them to make them easier to fit into small graves.

Archaeologists were surprised by the location of the Germanic weapons. They didn't expect anything like this in the woods near Jirkov. The treasure was found by Jaroslav Zvurský, who, according to archaeologists, spoiled the site by unprofessional digging.

Ondráčková later said that there was neither a settlement nor a burial site at the site of the find. "It could therefore have been a so-called symbolic grave for someone who could not be buried alone. Since eleven spearheads or spears, an iron sword and parts of shields were found, it is clear that it was not the armour of a single warrior," she revealed.

The finder had hidden the items in his cellar for six months. He had no idea that he had made a discovery in a small draw near the village of Hrádečná in the Ore Mountains that was unparalleled in the Czech Republic. In the end, he handed over the findings to the archaeologists himself. According to the archaeologists, the treasure is of considerable historical value...

Sources:
www.e-region.cz, www.blesk.cz, MF DNES, Právo