Archeology: Man finds 400-year-old treasure in Polish field

archeology
Man finds 400-year-old treasure full of coins in Polish field

He just wanted to help a relative who lost a machine part in the field – but Michał Łotys found something much more exciting with his metal detector.

Michał Łotys, a man from Poland, had just bought a metal detector – and the device was already being used for the first time. A relative had lost part of an agricultural machine in his field and asked him to use the detector to look for it. Michał didn’t need to be asked twice and rushed to help, also so that he could try out his new device.

So, with the metal detector, he walked the field near Zaniówka, which belonged to his relative’s farm. First unsuccessful – but then the device gave a signal. Michał Łotys searched the ground at the indicated location. But his relative was disappointed: the missing machine part was not found here. But something completely different, which should be much more exciting for everyone else. Michał found a broken jar in the ground, filled to the brim with apparently very old coins.

Archeology: coin hoard discovered in field

The man immediately did the right thing and contacted the local monument conservator, who, with the help of archaeologists, unearthed and appraised the treasure. The experts determined that the money was once wrapped in cloth and then hidden in the jar. It was about 1000 coins, mainly Lithuanian crowns and shillings, which are probably at least 400 years old – i.e. were hidden around 1620. Obviously, whoever had hidden this treasure never got around to digging it up again or telling their loved ones about it.

After a detailed examination, the coin hoard will soon be on display for all residents of the region in the Museum of South Podlaskie in the city of Biała Podlaska. And all because a man wanted to help a relative, and then after the exciting find did not act selfishly, but did the right thing.

Source: “herald”