Tuesday, August 20, 2013

A treasure hunter of a different breed...literally....

Near the town of Stolpe in the German countryside, two men cautiously watched a badger dig a den. Upon looking inside the den, the two men spied a pelvic bone.

The men pushed a camera gingerly into the den and took some pictures which also revealed some jewelry.

The two men contacted authorities who found a remarkable find. Once excavation started a large find of weapons, jewelry, bowls, and belt buckles was noted.

Archaeologists believe that this is a 12th century burial ground of 7 or 8 people. Based on their burial goods, at least two were warlords or warriors.

One of the warriors was buried with a bronze bowl near his feet. This bowl was used for washing hands and was a sign of his nobility. He also had a double edged sword and a peculiar belt buckle in the shape of the “omega” letter. Life was probably violent as the bones showed evidence of previous broken bones from sword wounds and falling from horses.

Another interesting find at that location consisted of a woman with a coin in her mouth. Archaeologists believe this custom was for the deceased to use that coin to pay a boatman to transport them across a river that separates the living world from the world of the dead.

If this treasure lay hidden for centuries only to be found by a badger, what could be laying hidden near you?

http://news.yahoo.com/dig-badger-unearths-medieval-treasure-113529491.html

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