Byzantine Gold Earrings Coated With Gems Found in an 800-Year-Old Collection in Germany

A trainee metal detectorist was able to come across a great and mysterious 800-year-old collection of silver coins and gold jewelry, among which are Byzantine gold earrings. This hoard offers clues regarding the trade connections in the area.

800-Year-Old Hoard

According to Live Science, the massive hoard had different artifacts. Part of the collection were two extremely high-quality Byzantine gold earrings that had semiprecious unique gems. Other than this, the hoard contained other artifacts such as a ring fragment, two gilded finger rings filled with stones, a brooch gilded with pseudocoins, 30 silver coins, and a small perforated disc that was formerly gilded.

For many decades, both professional and amateur archaeologists have been looking into the Schleswig-Holstein region and particularly in the Haithabu, which UNESCO classified as a world heritage site.

The site was a huge Nordic town, second-largest to be exact, and was essential for the Vikings from the 800s up until the 1100s. In 1066, the Haithabu was destroyed and left behind, which marked the end of the era of Vikings within the region. However, around one to two centuries later, someone intentionally collected valuables and kept them in a bag.

The hoard was found as the detectorists were traversing through a well-studied area. They then reported the discovery to the ALSH (State Archaeological Department of Schleswig-Holstein). An archaeology team then performed excavations of the site and revealed the stash of gold and silver artifacts with remarkably preserved fragments of textile.

Byzantine Gold Earrings

As mentioned earlier, the stash included Byzantine gold earrings coated with gems, which is considerably the most remarkable artifacts. The Miami Herald reports that though there are some missing stones, each earring may have had around a dozen different stones.

Ulf Ickerody, who serves as the director of the ALSH, states that the gold earrings plausibly date back to the era around or after 1100. The earrings also reflect Byzantine goldsmith traditions.

Other Unique Artifacts

Other than this, there was also an Islamic-style coin within the hoard that was added to a brooch.

Moreover, the 30 silver coins found within the stash suggest that the hoard may have been buried after the year 1234.

The mix of Mediterranean western jewelry and Danish coins is particularly intriguing. It also offers clues regarding the area's cosmopolitan nature.

Numismatist Marjanko Pilekić, who did not participate in the efforts, mentions that Islamic coins were prevalent in southern Scandinavia from the 900s to the 1100s. It may have reached the region through trade, tribute, or robbery, among other possibilities. He also mentions that it was a popular customer to loop or pierce coins and wear them.

The collection's discovery is rare within Schleswig-Holstein. Archaeologists are also not sure whether the items were owned, stolen, meant to be delivered, or buried as part of a ritual.

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