'Find of the century': Metal detector-wielding man stumbles onto trove of gold jewelry dating to 500 AD
A Norwegian using a recently purchased metal detector discovered rare 6th-century gold jewelry, which archaeologists described as Norway's "gold find of the century" on Thursday. The Norwegian went out strolling on the recommendation of doctors.
“At first I thought it was chocolate coins or Captain Sabertooth coins,” said 51-year-old Erlend Bore, referring to a fictional Norwegian pirate. “It was totally unreal.”
The cache included three gold rings, nine Norwegian gold medallions, and gold pearls that originally made up an elaborate necklace.
The design on the medallions, which is said to be a species of horse from Norse mythology, makes the discovery special in the eyes of archaeologists.
After purchasing a metal detector on the advice of his doctors, Bore, who as a child wanted to be an archaeologist, made the discovery in August on a farmer's field close to Stavanger.
After a day of looking, he was about to return home when the device started beeping suddenly on a hillside.
He made a call, and archaeologists took charge of the hunt.
The diamonds, which have a weight of a little over 100 grams, are thought to have been made around 500 AD.
“It’s the gold find of the century in Norway,” said Ole Madsen, the head of the University of Stavanger’s Museum of Archaeology. “To find that much gold all at once is extremely unusual.”
The newest comparable discovery in Norway is from the 19th century.
“Given the location of the discovery and what we know from other similar finds, this is probably a matter of either hidden valuables or an offering to the gods during dramatic times,” Professor Hakon Reiersen said.
According to Norwegian legislation, a reward will be given to both Bore and the landowner, albeit the amount has not yet been decided.