Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – The medieval treasures including coins and jewelry that could possibly belong to a Ruthenian princess and sister-in-law of 12-century Polish king Bolesław the Wrymouth were discovered in the small village of Słuszków.
The 900-year-old riches which include coins and jewellery were discovered in the small village of Słuszków.Insтιтute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Ruthenian nobility was usually of Eastern Slavic origin and as to the treasures – dated back almost 900 years – they have been unearthed in a cornfield near Kalisz in central Poland.
Inside a pot hidden beneath the earth, archaeologist Dr Adam Kędzierski from the Insтιтute of Archaeology and Ethnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences found 6,500 silver coins arranged in linen pouches, silver ingots, fragments of lead and two gold rings, and two wedding bands.
The extraordinary discovery was made after hearing local legends about the hidden treasure from the village priest.
The extraordinary discovery was made after hearing local legends about the hidden treasure from the village priest. Dr Kędzierski had been in the village to take pH๏τos of a site where in 1935 archaeologists discovered what was then Poland’s largest-ever coin haul, writes The First News.
But during his research, he began talking to the local priest, who told him of rumors he had heard from the pre-war treasure hunters. “According to the official version, the treasure was hidden at the intersection of three plots of land, located in the northern part of the village, Dr Kędzierski said.
“This news turned out to be false, so this year, attention was focused on the field closer to the road. This place was indicated by Father Stachowiak.”
Two days later the archaeologists found the treasure.
Inside the pot the archaeologist also found 6,500 silver coins arranged in linen pouches.
He said: “A pot filled to the brim with denarii was found. This is an extremely valuable discovery for archaeologists, historians and museum workers.
“It is one of the most intriguing treasures in Poland. The treasure found in the field in Słuszków near Kalisz comes from the turn of the 11th and 12th century.”
The treasure was so big that on the night of excavations local volunteer firemen were called in to guard the site.
On one of the rings, there is a Cyrillic inscription which reads: “Lord, may you help your servant Maria,” and based on this, the researcher believes the ring may have belonged to a Ruthenian princess named Maria.
He said: “We know that at that time the wife of Bolesław the Wrymouth was a Russian princess named Zbysława. According to the literature, she was supposed to have a sister Maria, who was married to Piotr Włostowic.
“It is commonly acknowledged that Maria was the daughter of Svyatoslavovich Isiaslavovich, Prince of Kiev.”
Following her husband’s abduction of Prince Volodar of Przemyśl, it is thought that the coins found may have been part of a dowry that Maria received and that she may have hidden it.
Kędzierski said: “Her husband’s position and possessions could have led her to deposit the treasure, to which a wedding ring was later added.
“Perhaps the deposit was made in 1145/1146 during her escape from Poland. The hypothesis is unverifiable, but very attractive because it explains the presence of coins from before the marriage.”
Researchers will continue their excavations in the area.
Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
