Archaeologists in Bulgaria have discovered five gold coins from the time of Emperor Justinian the Great (A.D. 527–565) on the floor of a 10th-century house in the village of Debnevo, suggesting the coins were kept as heirlooms.

Found during ongoing excavations of a medieval dwelling damaged by fire, the coins date back around 400 years before the house was built.

The coins are “tremissis” types, depicting Justinian with a pearl diadem on one side and the personification of Victory on the other, Live Science has reported.

The find highlights the historical depth of Debnevo, which has revealed artifacts spanning from 5000 B.C. to the 18th century.

Written by B.C. Begley