This treasure is one of the most valuable Bronze Age finds ever made in Sweden.
Who would have thought that orienteering is such a useful activity, but better ask Swedish cartographer Thomas Karlsson about it. While exploring a forest in western Sweden at the request of his club, he came across treasures from the Bronze Age.
In total, he discovered about 50 items, from bracelets and earrings to clothes pins.
“At first it seemed to me that it was a lamp, but then I looked closer and realized that it was antique jewelry,” admitted Karlsson.
According to archaeologists, finding such a treasure in the forest is a very rare success, since ancient tribes usually made sacrifices on the banks of rivers.
Scientists believe that the treasure was disturbed by animals that dug the ground near the stones and accidentally touched treasures hidden at a shallow depth, which supposedly date back to 750-500 BC.
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Among the discovered items are mostly women's jewelry.
Karlsson said that he noticed a metallic reflection while working with maps. At first, he decided that it was some kind of modern, antique jewelry, since the items were in excellent condition. But then, according to the local newspaper Goteborgs-Posten, Karlsson decided to send an email about the find to a local archaeologist.
According to experts, the treasure – and they no longer doubt the authenticity of the discovered objects – was intentionally left in the forest near Gothenburg, as a gift or sacrifice to appease some god or several gods at once, or as an “investment” in the afterlife.
According to a professor at the University of Gothenburg, Johan Ling, whose opinion is quoted by the same Goteborgs-Posten, all the objects found are perfectly preserved.
“Most of these little things are somehow connected with a woman or women who had a high status in society,” explains Professor Ling.
Scientists believe that such a ring served as a woman's jewelry and was worn on the ankle, like the Celts.
Bronze cloak clip from “Karlsson's hoard”
According to Swedish law, anyone who finds such antiquities is obliged to report it to the police or local authorities, as they are considered state property.
And only then the Council for National Treasures of Sweden decides whether the find is worthy of reward, and if so, what kind.
“It would be nice to receive the award, but for me it is not so important,” Karlsson admitted, “it was just nice to touch the history. After all, we know very little about this period, because we have no written sources.”
In Scandinavia, the Bronze Age lasted from about 1700 to 500 BC, after which it was replaced by the Iron Age. That, in turn, lasted until the 800s of a new era, and then the Vikings flourished.
Archaeologist Matz Hellgren at work
Now at the place where Karlsson discovered the treasure, a group of professional archaeologists is working, who hope to find new items there.
