Ancient Explorers – Two large stashes of bronze weapons and jewelry, from the eighth century B.C., have been discovered in southern Transylvania, in Romania.

The hoards date back to a time before minted currency had been invented or writing had spread to this part of Europe.

Within the collections, which held 300 and 50 objects, respectively, the researchers discovered double axes, short swords and spears. They also found brooches, foot and arm bracelets, pendants, torques (a kind of neck ring), beads, and hairpins. (All the jewelry was made of bronze.) The researchers found parts of horse harnesses, as well.

Accidental Archaeological Discoveries

“The majority of the objects are made of bronze, yet there are also weapons and tools made of iron,” wrote Corina Bors, a senior archaeologist with the National History Museum of Romania, in the summary of a presentation she gave recently at the European Association of Archaeologists annual meeting in Glasgow, Scotland. Continue reading →