Treasure found that was hidden during the war almost 1,000 years ago

A treasure hunter found a magnificent collection of gold jewelry and silver coins in the swamp. Museum curators

in the Netherlands they are believed to have been hidden there for 800 years, possibly during the war. The treasure consists of four gold pendants, two strips of gold leaf and 39 silver coins.

A historian-treasure hunter came across themin 2021, when he examined the territory of the small northern town of Hoogwood in the West Friesland region with a metal detector. Now archaeologists from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden) have determined that the treasure dates back to the Middle Ages.

Text and cover photo: Archeologie-Friesland/Fleur Schinning

Luxurious jewelry probably belonged toa wealthy and influential medieval figure, museum curators said in a statement. “Gold jewelry like these belonged only to members of high society. Their owner was distinguished by wealth and power. Perhaps they even belonged to the Countess of Holland,” explains Lorenzo Ruiter, who found the treasure.

Minted silver coins come in a variety of styles,some of them were produced at the beginning of the 13th century. The most recent coin dates from the late 1240s, coinciding with the war period. This may explain why the owner buried valuables.

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