05 Most Amazing Treasures Ever Discovered
From advanced deep-sea expeditions to your next-door neighbor armed only with the metal detector he found for sale at Walmart, all treasure hunters share the common goal of striking it rich one day. So dust off your old fedora and get ready to channel your inner Indiana Jones as we take a look at some of the greatest discoveries of all time.
1. Monumental Discovery
Located near the village of Altaussee in the Alps, Austria, an abandoned salt mine provides the perfect hiding place for priceless works of art confiscated by the Nazis during World War II. The booty, which included eight paintings from Michelangelo's "Madonna of Bruges" and Jan van Eyck's "Adoration of the Lamb", was intended for the Führer Museum - a tribute to the failed artist-turned-dictator. Appreciation Instead, as Hitler shrinks into hiding, the members of an obscure American military unit become unlikely heroes after the loot is discovered in the spring of 1945.
A program called the Department of Antiquities, Art and Archives (MFAA) was set up by the Allies to help protect (and eventually repatriate) cultural property damaged by the war. The group of volunteers consisted of men and women, who offered their expertise as art historians, curators, professors, and architects.
After the war, many MFAA members went on to distinguished careers at universities and leading art institutions around the world. And in 2014, some appeared in The Monuments Man starring and directed by George Clooney.
2. Saqqara Tombs
The tomb at Saqqara is more than 4,000 years old and served the former capital of Egypt, Memphis. Over the past decade, archaeologists have made a number of surprising discoveries, including hundreds of elaborate coffins and dozens of mummified cats.
Located on the west bank of the Nile, about 15 miles south of modern Cairo, the sacred burial site is known as the “Cemetery of Ancient Animals” — a sprawling temple complex dedicated to the famous feline guardian of the home and family. with Basset. . Recent excavations have revealed a large bronze statue of the deity and more than 100 wooden cat figures inlaid with gold.
In addition, a team of Egyptologists found a 13-foot long scroll found inside the burial shaft. The text of the papyrus contains excerpts from the Book of the Dead, a guidebook used by believers to navigate the afterlife.
3. Caesarea
Diving is a popular activity enjoyed by scuba diving enthusiasts all over the world. While exploring the depths of the ocean is not without risks (like drowning or being attacked by a shark), sometimes a casual outing with friends can lead to an unexpected reward.
In 2015, members of a local diving club near Tel Aviv spotted something glowing at the bottom of an abandoned harbor in Caesarea National Park. Further examination revealed a hoard of 24-karat gold coins from the Fatimid Caliphate, a Shiite Arab dynasty that ruled the Mediterranean coast from 909 to 1171 CE.
The divers immediately notified the Israel Antiquities Authority's (IAA) Marine Archeology Unit, which eventually unearthed more than 2,000 coins - Israel's largest ever stock of gold. This discovery was made possible by a recent severe storm that shook the ocean floor, altering the underwater topography.
According to IAA statistician Robert Cole, “The coins are in an excellent state of preservation and, despite the fact that they have been on the ocean floor for nearly a millennium, require no cleaning or preservation intervention from a mineral laboratory.” There was no need. .
4. Cuerdale Hoard
In 1840, workers repairing a river bridge in Coerdale, northern England, discovered the largest hoard of Viking silver ever found in Western Europe. The carriage dates back to the early 10th century A.D. and was buried in a heavy lead chest containing silver and bullion coins worth $3.2 million in modern currency.
The Norse were known to have traveled along the Viking-controlled route between York and the Irish Sea, which was established in the Ribble Valley. Some archaeologists believe that the invaders deliberately hid the chest for reasons related to pagan beliefs.
Norse mythology suggests that burial items, such as spoils won in battle, can be used in the afterlife. As the story goes, fallen warriors are taken by the Valkyries (magnificent gods of war) and taken to Odin's legendary hall of Valhalla, where they will die before the final Battle of Ragnarok (the end of the world) in the year 1099. They will have a party. ). In other words, you really could take it with you to Vikings paradise.
5. Hoxne Hoard
Searching the house for missing items can be exhausting, and is often accompanied by a self-deprecating,
In 1992, Peter Watling, a tenant farmer in the English village of Hoxney, lost his hammer in a muddy field. After failing to find it on his own, he enlists the help of his neighbor Eric Laws, who owns a metal detector. Soon the veterans of the Second World War (Royal Marines) stumbled upon an oak chest containing the richest Roman find made in Britain.
The Suffolk Archaeological Unit later conducted an emergency investigation of the site, eventually unearthing some 15,000 gold, silver and other pieces of historical interest. Excavations also revealed the missing tool. Eureka! Most of the coins date back to the early 5th century AD, the period that finally ended the Roman Empire's 400-year rule over Britannia.
In exchange for his efforts, Laos received £1.75 million from the British government, which he parted ways with Watling. Today, the Hoxne Hoard is on display at the British Museum in London, including the now infamous hammer.
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