One of the highlights of the exhibition held in 2013 was titled ‘The Bronze Age’. Europe without borders. Fourth – First Millennium BC’, is an impressive collection of artifacts known as the Eberswalde Treasure. The exhibition was held at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, is said to contain over 1700 works believed to have come from various parts of Europe – Western, Central and Eastern, during the Bronze Age. The Eberswalde Hoard, excavated in Germany, is one of the exhibition’s most priceless treasures.
The largest collection of prehistoric gold in Germany
The Eberswalde Hoard is believed to be the largest collection of prehistoric gold objects discovered in Germany to date. The treasure includes 81 antique gold objects, including 60 steel wire spirals, eight gold bowls and one gold bar. The total weight of these objects was reported to be 2.6 kg. It is believed that they come from the 11th or 10th century BC.
The original purpose or use of the Eberswalde Hoard remains unclear, although one scholar suggests that it was a collection of sacred objects. For example, it has been argued that vases were the most common type of sacred offering during the Bronze Age. Additionally, ships similar to those of the Eberswalde Hoard have also been found in other parts of Europe, including Zürich Altstetten in Switzerland and Kasitchena, near Sofia, Bulgaria. The Eberswalde Treasure is believed to have belonged to a goldsmith named Villena-type, originating from the Iberian Peninsula, because of its resemblance to the Treasure of Villena.
Villena’s Treasure (Wikimedia Commons)
Discover the Eberswalde treasure
The gold objects of the Eberswalde Treasure were discovered in a clay jar unearthed during an excavation in the northeastern region of Berlin in 1913. The treasure was later brought to the Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte (‘Museum of Prehistory and Early Life). History’) of the Berlin State Museum, where it is displayed as part of their collection. In 1939, World War II broke out, and after the Soviet Red Army occupied Berlin, many valuable artifacts from Berlin’s museums, including the Eberswalde Hoard, were confiscated and transported to Moscow as a trophy and as compensation for the damage caused. during Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union. It was reported that the artifacts were rediscovered in 2004 in a secret warehouse at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow and were put on display in 2013 for the first time since being seized by Soviet troops.
Confiscate treasure
Despite the importance of the Eberswalde Hoard, it was just one of many artifacts seized by Soviet forces from German museums at the end of World War II. It is estimated that 2.5 million objects were captured by the victors of the war. According to the Russians, less than 10% of these looted documents remain in Russia. Between 1955 and 1958, approximately 1.5 million of these objects were returned to Germany, including 300 trainloads of precious works that were returned to the former East Germany as a gesture of friendship. However, the Germans claim that a million objects have yet to be found, including the Eberswalde Hoard and the ‘Treasure of Priam’, objects discovered in 1873 in Hisarlik, Turkey, now believed to be is the site of Troy. Coincidentally, these objects were smuggled out of Türkiye by archaeologist Hienrich Schliemann.
One of Priam’s treasures (Wikimedia Commons)
Perhaps it is only natural that Germany continues to seek ways to repatriate these priceless artifacts from Russia. This and Russia’s refusal to yield became the focus of the opening of the ‘Bronze Age’. Europe without borders. Wednesday – Exhibition of the first millennium BC. According to reports, the opening ceremony of the exhibition will be chaired by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Each leader is also expected to give a speech during the ceremony. When it was reported that Mrs. Merkel was planning to use her speech to call for the return of looted artifacts, the Russians decided to cancel the event. However, in the end the event still took place with both leaders in attendance, although there was no joint opening and of course no speech by the German chancellor. For now, the Eberswalde Hoard will continue to be in Russian hands as their spoils of war.
