Bronze age secrets: Unveiling the treasures of Somló Hill
Archaeologists have unearthed a Bronze Age treasure trove on Somló Hill in western Hungary, containing over 300 artefacts. This natural elevation, an extinct volcano, still conceals many secrets.
Researchers made this remarkable discovery on Somló Hill, a small wine region in the north-western part of Hungary, located between Lake Balaton and the Austrian border. The area is chiefly renowned for its complex and full-bodied white wines. The central landmark of the region is Somló Hill, an extinct volcano. Deep underground, a Bronze Age treasure, more than 3,000 years old, was found. In the initial year of research, over 300 artefacts were uncovered, including numerous bronze items, indicating that this site may have been a centre for bronze production.
What treasures does Somló Hill conceal?
The discovery is detailed in the scientific journal "Antiquity". Among the finds on Somló Hill are artefacts from the Late Bronze Age, dated to 1400-900 BC, and from the Early Iron Age, from 800-450 BC. This discovery is particularly valuable for understanding the Hallstatt culture, known for its advanced metalwork in Central and Western Europe. The people of this culture produced distinctive bronze sheet vessels - situlae, often intricately decorated.
"The settlement of the hill appears to have been uninterrupted during the transition to the Early Iron Age," write researchers in "Antiquity", led by Bence Soós of the Hungarian National Museum. The discovered items include not only metal artefacts, such as spearheads, but also amber beads, wild boar tusks, and domestic pig teeth, alongside elements of textiles and leather. Sediment analyses also reveal the presence of lentils and millet, typical of the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Somló Hill held a special significance for this culture
Some historical accounts from the late 19th century suggest that other ancient artefacts were found at the base of the hill and nearby areas, but details of these discoveries remain scarce.
According to the researchers, the discovery on Somló is significant because it can help establish the chronology and geographical spread of the Hallstatt culture. The hill, which stands at 1,414 feet, has not been disrupted by modern mining activities, making it an ideal site for archaeological research. "The discovered treasures attest to a deliberate and complex tradition of hoarding on Somló Hill," note the scientists.
Archaeologists plan to conduct radiocarbon dating of some materials, which may provide valuable insights into the transitional period between the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age.
