Man Finds 500 BC Horse Harness With Metal Detector

Members of Polish historical society have discovered a 2,500-year-old horse harness while using a metal detector in a forest.

Members of the Weles Historical Society found 156 decorative bronze fragments from the horse harness.

At the time the harness was lost, the territory that is now modern Poland was occupied by mixed groups including Celtic, Scythian, Germanic, Sarmatian, Slavic and Baltic tribes. There is also evidence that Roman legionnaires were operating in the area to protect the amber trade as it was shipped down from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

Professor Jacek Gackowski, from the Institute of Archaeology of the Nicolaus Copernicus University (UMK) in the historical city of Torun, said the horse harness probably came from the Scythians, a nomadic people who dominated the Pontic-Caspian steppe region from about the 7th century BC up until the 3rd century BC.

Credit: Historical and Exploration Group WELES/Newsflash
The team during the excavation in Cierpice, near Torun in central Poland

The Scythians were feared and admired for their prowess in war and especially for their horsemanship. They were among the earliest to master the art of riding, and their mobility astonished their neighbours.

The discovery took place near the village of Cierpice in the northern Polish region of Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship on 26th September.

Society member Arkadiusz Kurij came across the historical treasure while using his metal detector in the forest.

The group protected the site when they realised it may hold important artefacts, and then notified the relevant authorities, as is required by law in Poland.

Credit: Historical and Exploration Group WELES/Newsflash
Arkadiusz Wyrzykowski (right) with Arkadiusz Kurij (left)

Members of the National Heritage Board of Poland then recovered the bronze artefacts from the ground.

Weles Historical Society co-founder Arkadiusz Wyrzykowski told Newsflash: “On the day we found the bronze artefacts, we also found a spearhead in another location. The item is still being examined to detect its age and origin.

“The pieces of harness were found by Weles group member Arkadiusz Kurij with a metal detector.

“We informed the mayor and region heritage society straight away.”

Research on the discovered items continues.


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Story By: Lee BullenSub-EditorMarija Stojkoska,  Agency: Newsflash

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