Austrian Find of the Century: Celtic gold and silver from Bohemia

A unique treasure trove of Celtic gold and silver jewellery and coins has been discovered in Austria. The sensational find may have been deposited as an offering to the gods in the 1st century BC. The main artefact of the assemblage is a solid gold tusk necklace, as well as a gold bracelet, four ornate gold rings and silver Boeotian coins.

The treasure was discovered by chance finders near Neumarkt am Wallersee in the Austrian state of Salzburg. The exact location of the discovery has been kept secret to avoid looting the site: "On a Friday afternoon in May 2021, the Salzburg Archaeological Department of the Federal Heritage Office received a telephone call from Neumarkt am Wallersee. During a site visit, the finders presented the archaeologists with three large Celtic silver coins, two rings and a massive gold bracelet."

Subsequent archaeological research by the Federal Heritage Office revealed 25 more silver coins, two more gold rings and a necklace: "The treasure is similar to the findings of gold jewellery with silver or gold coins from the last centuries before Christ that are known throughout Europe. However, they are much rarer in eastern Celtic central Europe than in areas of former Gaul and the British Isles."

The objects were made around the middle of the 1st century B.C. The 28 large silver tetradrachms and exquisite gold jewellery undoubtedly belonged to a high-ranking person. The Boeotian coins refer to the area of today's Czech Republic and Slovakia. The treasure may have been deposited several decades later. However, the first century BC was a time of economic, social and political crises. So perhaps the treasure was hidden from imminent danger in a time of distress," said Martin Hochleitner, director of the Salzburg museum, adding that other possibilities, including cult sacrifices, were also on the table.

How much the museum paid for the artefacts "after intensive negotiations" is unclear: "It is common for the purchase price to remain confidential. The artefacts form part of our cultural heritage," explained the director, who was joined by Federal Heritage Office expert Peter Hoeglinger: "It is gratifying that the finders did not dig it up themselves. Fortunately, they informed the experts. It is very rare for a depot find to be examined and retrieved under controlled conditions. In addition to its exceptional quality, this find provides valuable information about Late Iron Age culture, especially through the accurate documentation of its discovery and removal."

Wilfried Haslauer, Governor of Salzburg, added: "The discovery of the Neumarkt am Wallersee hoard is an outstanding enrichment of the material cultural heritage. We are particularly fortunate that the unique opportunity to purchase the find of the century has come at the exact time of the 100th anniversary of the Salzburg Museum Association. And it is an opportunity to say a special thank you to its 15,000 members whose support and sponsorship make such unique acquisitions possible."

Roman Nemec

Sources: linossiartstory.com, ananova.news

The 28 Bohemian tetradrachms refer to origins in what is now Bohemia

Beautiful gold ring with decorations and granulation

Neumartian Celtic treasure

Artefacts on display

Detail of the coin

Museum press conference introducing the treasure to the public on the 100th anniversary of the