During the excavation of a known Roman battle site in the Swiss Alps, archaeologists stumbled upon a fascinating discovery – an impressive hoard of 80 artifacts dating back to the late Bronze Age.

Among the noteworthy objects were sickles, axes, fragments of a saw, and jewelry pieces, all accompanied by numerous chunks of raw copper.

Experts believe that these artifacts were deliberately buried as an offering, as they were intentionally damaged and bent out of shape before being carefully wrapped in leather and placed inside a wooden box.

Their estimated age falls around 1200 to 1000 B.C.E., a time when the selective destruction and disposal of valuable metal objects were a prevalent cultural practice, ArtNet News reported.

Archaeologist Thomas Reitmaier remarked that the comprehensive scientific investigation into this unique find will undoubtedly shed light on the cultural, economic, and landscape history of the late Bronze Age.

The excavation, carried out in October 2022, formed part of a broader research project by the regional Archaeological Service of Graubünden, focusing on a known conflict between the Romans and the local Suanete tribe around 15 B.C.E.

This ongoing project is centered in Salouf-Vostga, a site situated in the Swiss valley of Oberhalbstein, approximately 160 kilometers southeast of Zürich.

Interestingly, the Bronze Age artifacts were uncovered in a field just south of the prehistoric settlement of Motta Vallac, near one of the main transalpine transport routes.

Although not initially part of the intended excavation site, this area came to the team’s attention thanks to a vigilant volunteer metal detectorist participating in a large-scale survey of the local landscape.

Written by staff