The archaeological treasure counts about 6,500 silver coins that have been dated to the 11th and 12th centuries AD. Found in the village of Sluszkow in central Poland, the hoard was buried alongside golden wedding bands, rings and bits of silver and lead. Archaeologists on the treasure hunt that led to the find have dubbed this one of the country’s most intriguing discoveries to date.
The coin hoard also marks the second time the Polish village has caught the attention of archaeologists since before World War 2.
In 1935, an even greater hoard of Saxony-era treasures counting 13,061 coins and silver trinkets was uncovered in Sluszkow.
At the time, the so-called Słuszków Hoard was hailed the world’s biggest-ever trove of cross denarii or cross pennies.
The treasure was buried around the year 1100 and is on display today at the Kalisz Land Regional Museum.
Archaeologists returned to the village in November 2020 to take snapshots of where the previous discoveries were made.
READ MORE: Perfectly preserved ancient wolf pup ‘mummy’ discovered
As luck had it, they began talking to local farmers and residents who led them to the new discovery.
Dr Adam Kędzierski of the Polish Academy of Sciences said: “According to the official version, the treasure was supposed to be hidden at the intersection of three plots found in the northern part of the village.
“The information proved false, which is why during this year’s search attention was focused on a field closer to the road.
“The site was pointed out by priest Stachowiak who in the early 1980s received the information from the treasure’s founders.”
Once the site was located, the archaeologists only needed 48 hours to discover the treasure.
Dr Kędzierski said: “A pot packed to the brim with denarii was found.
One of the rings also bears an inscription in Cyrillic, which reads: “Lord, help your maid Maria.”
The woman may have been a Ruthenian princess although it remains unclear why the treasure was buried in Sluszkow.
Historian Adrian Jusupović said: “We know that at the time the wife of King Bolesław Wrymouth was a Ruthenian princess named Zbysława.
“According to the literature, she was meant to have a sister, Maria, who was married to Piotr Włostowic.
“It is commonly believed Maria was the daughter of Światopełek Izjasławowicz (Prince of Kiev).”
The coins found alongside the rings may have been part of a boon given to the woman by her husband and were buried when Włostowic fled Poland around the year 1146.
Włostowic was a Polish noble responsible for the abduction of the Volodar of Peremyshl for which he was tasked with the construction of 70 churches as penance. He was considered a traitor by Wrymouth’s son Władysław II the Exile and his wife.
Włostowic, who was fiercely loyal to king Wrymouth, was captured by Władysław in 1146 and was maimed and blinded, and died just seven years later.
The incident led to a civil war between Władysław and his brothers.
Professor Jusupović said: “The hypothesis is unverifiable but very attractive as it explains the presence of coins from before the marriage.”
However, the mystery is yet to be solved as an initial analysis of the coins suggest they originate in the early 12th century.
The archaeologists now plan to continue their study of the village and its secrets with aerial photography, lidar studies and excavations.