“An important set of jewelry from the Middle Bronze Age” discovered between August and present, has been unveiled in Switzerland’s Güttingen. It includes several spiked jewelry discs (14 in total), two spiral finger rings and more than 100 small amber beads, roughly the size of pinheads, from a newly plowed carrot field August.
Along with this trove of Bronze Age jewelry, scattered fossilized and scattered animal remains were also discovered – a bronze arrowhead, polished ore lumps, a type of ammonite (a extinct marine mollusk), shark teeth, perforated bear teeth and a rock crystal. !
Tweezers and block recovery: Archaeological science
Franz Zahn made the discovery in August while clearing scrap metal for an unidentified farmer in the northeastern village of Güttingen, as reported in a statement by the state government of Thurgau. As for the amber beads, Zahn carefully pulled them out of the soil with tweezers, then reported his findings to the local Archeology Office for field surveys.
Restored block found in Güttingen. (Canton Thurgau)
They arrived the next day and determined that block recovery had to be carried out, which would mean removing a large area of land around the artifacts, measuring 50x50x50 cm (19.68×19.68×19.68 in). The block was carefully transported to the laboratory in Frauenfeld, where it was meticulously polished by a highly skilled restorer.
The process involves recording the findings layer by layer, allowing researchers to better understand the circumstances surrounding their deposition in the soil. This investigative approach was informed by a previous similar discovery near Etzwilen, which occurred two years ago. Previous experience with the discovery at Etzwilen contributed valuable knowledge to this new excavation.
Bronze Age jewelry is being carefully restored in the laboratory in Frauenfeld. (Canton Thurgau)
Costume Bronze Age Jewelry: Protective and Healing Qualities?
Archaeologists have determined that these pieces of jewelry represent “typical costume jewelry” worn by women around 1500 BC during the Bronze Age. The distinctive spiked discs, described as particularly “eye-catching”, are connected by metal spirals that act as spacers. Each disc has a narrow hole, allowing it to be easily strung with a piece of thread or leather to be worn as a decoration, The Heritage Daily reported.
Spirals found in Güttingen. (Canton Thurgau)
Eleven of these spirals were discovered in Güttingen, in addition to eight slightly larger spirals crafted from pure gold wire with a total weight exceeding 21 grams. The outfit is also supplemented with more than 100 amber beads and two finger rings decorated with double spirals.
This fascinating collection raises certain questions about the possibility of a jewelry box at the site and whether the rock crystals, fossils and rocks were curiosities or souvenirs from a visit Klettgau region or not. Archaeologists also ponder whether these objects had a deeper meaning, as such objects were often believed to have special protective or healing properties and may have been worn as amulets , Arkeonews reported.
This trove of artifacts dates from a time when high cultures were thriving in places like Egypt and Crete in the Mediterranean. It is worth noting that relatively few settlements from this era are known in Thurgau. For example, in Güttingen, a large-scale Bronze Age village, complete with structures built on pillars and rich archaeological finds, was examined. near the “rat tower” a few years ago. However, this village only existed around 1000 BC, suggesting that the newly discovered artifacts predate this larger settlement.
Close up of discs and beads. (Canton Thurgau)
Although no human remains have been excavated, it is believed that these objects were buried at the site, possibly in a sack or other type of decomposed organic container and there is no trace of any grave. Regardless of burial method, researchers speculate that these artifacts had significance to the wearer and may have been considered to possess protective or healing powers, much like a talisman Guardian.
The recently discovered artifacts are currently being restored and are scheduled to go on display at the Archaeological Museum in Frauenfeld next year.
Top image: Bronze Age jewelry found in a Swiss carrot field. Includes a necklace decorated with spiked discs, an amber necklace, finger rings, gold spirals and special finds such as bear teeth and ammonite. Source: Canton of Thurgau
