Archaeologists unearth 3,600-year-old bronze treasures in Czech Republic

During routine research work in the field, archaeologists made an intriguing discovery in the Czech Republic. They found bronze objects, including jewellery and weapon elements.

According to livescience.com, archaeologists in the Czech Republic uncovered eight arm rings, two pins, eight axes, and one spearhead. The treasure was unearthed near Budyně nad Ohří, a town located in the Ústí nad Labem region, about 56 kilometres northwest of Prague.

"Most items are characteristic of the Middle Bronze Age, with only one ax belonging to the earlier period," wrote Martin Trefný, an assistant professor at the Říp Regional Museum and Jan Evangelista Purkyně University, in an email to the Live Science site.

"Axes could have been used as tools or weapons. The latter function also applies to the spearhead," Trefný comments. "Bracelets were forearm ornaments, and pins served either to fasten clothing or, for example, to style women's hair."

Thus, the treasures could have served a votive function, meaning they were offerings to deities. Another potential function was economic—craftsmen of specific goods could have stored them. The last option is simply a reaction to a crisis in which the owners had to hide them from enemies or other threats.

Trefný stated that the find could be worth millions of korunas. The items indicate the technological advancement of bronze casters and processors in Central Europe 3,600 years ago. The discovery could help us understand the wars, craftsmanship techniques, and fashion of that time. Additionally, the items may have value in understanding ancient rituals and religion. In the future, the objects are set to be placed in the Podřipské Museum.