Century-old buried treasures were unearthed by two metal detectors in Transylvania

Local officials say two men with metal detectors recently discovered a group of ancient treasures in Transylvania, which gave new revelations to early settlements in the long-standing historical area. Transylvania covers much of today’s Romania, famous for medieval towns, Gothic architecture and vampire folklore, and is associated with the fictional character Dracula and his real inspiration, the infamous 15th-century ruler Vlad the Impaler.

This spring, the treasures were unearthed in the Transvanian town of Breaza, a farther history than the cruel monarchy rule. In an announcement shared last week, Breaza officials said metal detectives discovered that the jewelry originally belonged to the Dassians, who lived in certain areas of Transylvania and its surrounding areas, from around the 1st century BCE to the 1st century AD. Dacia was eventually conquered by the Roman Empire.

In addition to chain necklaces and belts made of round metal pendants, silver brooches and bracelets decorated with plant patterns were found, with each having a sun symbol. Officials said the treasure weighed 550 grams, equivalent to one pound.

The Mures County Museum near Bresa confirms the origin of jewelry in ancient Dassian society. The museum’s archaeologist Daniel Ciota will study the treasures as it prepares for the display.

Breaza officials said the silver fragments were likely worn by Dacian Aristocrat, citing that its luxury was a signal of its owner’s status and could be a “high-end” member of its society. As for why the jewelry was eventually buried on the ground, officials suggested they could be used as a dedication of some unknown gods a long time ago. However, they also acknowledge that someone has hidden them for more personal reasons.

In this area of ​​Transylvania, there were no previous records of the settlements of Dacia, and the treasure was the first physical evidence of the people of Dacian living around Breaza. Moving forward, archaeologists and researchers will begin exploring the area in hopes of finding remnants of settlements where jewelry owners may live, officials said.

“These historical relics remind us of the cultural heritage and importance of our region in the history of Dassia,” Bresa town wrote on social media. “This discovery respects and encourages us to proudly protect and promote our heritage.”