Hoard of silver artifacts found, may point to first Dacian settlement in Romania

The treasure sparked more questions than answers. Could an ancient Dacian dwelling or even settlement be waiting to be discovered beneath the surface? According to experts, the find attests to it.

An aristocrat’s jewelry collection

As famous warriors, the Dacian empire expanded its reach in central Europe to the Danube in the south and the Black Sea in the east. They have a rich history that includes historic clashes with the Roman Empire. However, their artistic tradition remains relatively unknown. By the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, they had already developed a rich culture of craftsmanship. Their use of gold and silver can be traced back to 350 BC, or over 2,400 years ago. The recent discovery of a hoard of silver treasure highlights this overlooked aspect of their culture.

The collection, which weighed over a pound, included a circular silver bracelet decorated with plant motifs, two knotted broaches, a smaller fibula with four knots, a neck chain finished with a link with ends hanging from it attached to three pendants, and a girdle of oval plates fastened with a series of links. Most likely, a rectangular plate decorated with solar motifs was attached to the belt.

A prominent member of Dacian aristocracy wore this silver with intricate details on special occasions, but the museum cannot confirm whether the hoard belonged to a man or woman yet. Whoever he or she might have been, the jewelry communicated the splendor of their wealth.

According to the Mures Museum, the owner of the hoard could have stashed it underground as an offering to a deity or to hide assets during a difficult moment. Many questions arise about why the owner disposed of their wealth as they never recovered it. But the local museum received much more than jewelry; it also received a sign in silver.

A Dacian settlement nearby?

The Dacians were the first people of Romania. According to Brittanica, north-central and western Romania made up the core of their territory. But the jewelry presents the first clear indication that the Dacians were present in this region in central Romania: Mures County. Until now, archaeologists never found any evidence of their presence, leading experts to conclude that a dwelling, settlement, or fortress must be nearby.

“We hope that through upcoming field research, the Dacian settlement and even the fortification in the area will able to be identified,” the museum stated in a press release.

The silver treasure is currently being documented, studied, published, and exhibited at the Mures County Museum.