Bronze Age Hoard Uncovered in Czech Wetland

KOJETÍN, CZECH REPUBLIC—Europe Says reports that archaeologists recovered a hoard of bronze objects from an ancient wetland outside of Kojetín in central Moravia. The rare and exceptional discovery was made while a team from the Olomouc Archaeological Center were monitoring construction work along the Brno–Přerov railway line. Dozens of bronze items were intentionally deposited there by members of the Urnfield culture more than 3,000 years ago. These include bronze ingots, fragments of various decorative ornaments, and several bronze tools, including sickles and swords. Many of the items had been deliberately damaged before they were buried. Eight sickles had been purposefully bent and a sword blade had been smashed by a heavy blow from a chisel or ax. Experts do not believe that the treasure was buried for safekeeping or was intended to be retrieved at a later date and reused. Instead, they suggest that the objects were deposited in the wetland as part of a ritual ceremony, perhaps to appease water spirits or to mark a significant event. To read about a golden bowl produced by the Urnfield culture, go to "A Shining Example."