Archaeologists discover 3000-year-old treasures in the Somló volcano!

Archaeologists discover 3000-year-old treasures in the Somló volcano!

archaeologists have made an extraordinary discovery in the west of Hungary, in the region around the Somló-Berg. Over 300 significant metal objects were found in an expired volcano, which once belonged to the bronze and early Iron Age. These finds are up to 3000 years old and include a variety of objects, including swords, hatchets and amber pearls.

The discovery, which was led by the Hungarian National Museum, began in 2023 and provides new knowledge of the life and practices of people in the Bronze and early Iron Age. It is particularly noteworthy that the finds were discovered in six groups inside the volcano. Five of these finds date from the Bronze Age (approx. 2200 to 800 BC), during one from the early Iron Age (approx. 750 BC to 1025 AD).

Conservation state of the finds

The objects are exceptionally well preserved, which is due to the fact that the Somló mountain has never been used as a quarry. Metal objects were partially deposited in ceramic vessels, which offers additional knowledge of storing such objects. The deposition of the finds suggests that the place may have been visited regularly, and there are indications that people either lived or returned to hide their valuable items.

researchers have used modern techniques such as lidar sensors and neutron tomography to analyze the finds. Such well -preserved artifacts are rare and make it possible to clarify many open questions about the past. During the Bronze Age, metal processing began with the production of tools and weapons from a copper-tin alloy.

social and economic changes

Access to metal led to significant changes in the social structures of the then communities at that time. Power relationships established themselves, and the first stable structures offered people new opportunities. Trade became increasingly significant because valuable materials such as copper and tin do not appear everywhere. The first writing systems developed during this time to document property and trade, which played an equally big role in social development.

It is also interesting to notice that new weapons led to more conflicts during this time and resulted in the establishment of fortified settlements. Part of the researcher project is to investigate whether the deposited objects were left for practical reasons or in the context of ceremonies, which could throw further bright spots on the cultural practices of that time.

In summary, this archeology not only combines finds, but also the question of the way of life, the social structures and trade relationships of the time. Research in this area is supplemented by the publication "Iron Metallurgy in the Bronze Age of Eastern Europe" by Maja Kašuba and other authors from 2019, in which archaeological sources and their interpretations are treated deepened . These developments and discoveries contribute significantly to the better understanding of early civilizations in Europe.