SOURCE: an article by Ruth Fraňková, Unique Bronze Age belt discovered near Opava 10/07/2022 https://english.radio.cz
Gold belt was found in September 2022 by a farmer in the Opava region in the north-east of Czechia.
“The first hypothesis was that the thin golden sheet of metal, which is around 50 centimetres long, was a tiara. However, after examining the object in greater detail, experts now believe it was actually part of a belt:
‘It is decorated with raised concentric circles and topped with rose-shaped clasps at the ends. We realized that it was too long to fit on someone’s head. So we actually think it is not a tiara, but something much rarer – a part of a belt.
Belts at the time were made of leather and this was strapped to its front part. It was crumpled when the finder found it, probably as a result of agricultural activity, so it is a miracle it has been so well preserved. It may be missing a few tiny parts, but otherwise it is in perfect condition.’
The thin metal sheet is made mostly of gold, along with some silver and traces of copper and iron. A preliminary analysis places its origin around 14th century BC, says Tereza Alex Kilnarová, conservator at the Museum of Bruntál.
‘It is estimated to be from the middle to the late Bronze Age, but it is only a preliminary determination based on the decoration.
Similar decorative ornaments appear in more than one prehistoric cultures and therefore a more detailed research and analysis of the metal is needed.‘”
