850-Year-Old Treasure: Medieval Tomb’s Gift

Swedish scientists have recently discovered a 12th-century grave filled with hidden treasure. In total, Swedish archaeologists discovered 170 silver “bracted” coins during the excavation of an 850-year-old grave.

Swedish experts said the coins found date back to the 12th century. Photo: Jönköping County Museum.

The Jönköping County Museum announced this remarkable find in a press release on March 27, translated from Swedish to English. The discovery occurred during the excavation of a grave in an old church on Visingsö, an island in Sweden.

The coins were found in the grave of a man believed to have been between 20 and 25 years old at the time of his death. The silver pieces date from 1150 to 1180.

Archaeologists are still puzzled as to why these coins were found in a Christian tomb.

Project leader Anna Ödéen said: “My colleague Kristina Jansson and I found two skeletons in the crypt. We then removed the two skeletons to further study the ancient graves. Suddenly three silver coins appeared! We quickly realised that there were many more coins near the skeleton’s left foot.”

A total of 170 silver bractata were found. Bractata are thin, coin-shaped metal pieces used as jewellery.

While some might see this as simply the discovery of ancient metal objects, Swedish historians claim that this find is highly significant for their field.

The coins found date back to the 12th century.

The Jönköping Provincial Museum said: “This discovery is very special, partly because there are very few similar finds from that time and partly because some of the coins were unknown until now.”

The coins found date back to the 12th century.

What puzzles archaeologists is the presence of these coins in a Christian grave. Burying the dead with a large number of coins was not a common practice among medieval Christians. The press release explains: “It is rare for such finds to occur in Christian graves; this custom dates back to prehistoric times and makes the Visingsö excavation particularly unique. Why this young man, aged around 20, was buried with all these coins remains a mystery. The museum’s archaeologists hope to uncover more clues as they continue to dig deeper into this discovery.”

A Swedish coin expert described the find as “absolutely shocking.”

Eeva Jonsson, a leading Swedish coin expert, commented: “This is a groundbreaking discovery that will rewrite the history of medieval coinage in Götaland. It also sheds light on a period that is largely unknown.”