Historic Find Is Pure Gold! (Croatia)

IcBirmingham.com/Evening Mail ^ | 1-14-2004 | Tony Collins

[blam]

Historic find is pure gold!

Jan 14 2004

By Tony Collins, Evening Mail

City archaeologists have struck gold - with a major Bronze Age discovery in eastern Europe.

A team of experts from the University of Birmingham has discovered what may be one of the most important archaeological sites of the last 50 years, in a riverbed in Croatia.

Items recovered from the river include more than 90 swords, a Roman legionnaire's dagger complete with sheath, more than 30 Greco-Illyrian helmets, plus numerous items of jewellery, axes and spearheads.

It is believed a large number of objects were thrown into River Cetina deliberately, possibly as offerings to gods.

Initial surveys of the site indicate that the remarkable finds span a period of history from 6,000 BC onwards.

These include 33m long timbers, clearly visible from the riverbank, which show evidence of late Neolithic or early Bronze Age wooden settlements.

Project leader Dr Vincent Gaffney, director of the university's Institute for Archaeology and Antiquity, described the find as a "once in a lifetime discovery" for any archaeologist.

He said: "The Cetina Valley is certainly the most remarkable site that I have, and will ever, have the privilege of being involved in.

"As the majority of the Cetina Valley site is waterlogged, the level of preservation is quite exceptional. I believe this to be one of the most important archaeological wetlands in Europe."

Sediments in the river valley also provide an environmental record covering around 10,000 years, offering an insight into the everyday life of the people who would have lived there.

The Birmingham University team is to return to the site in May to carry out an extensive survey.

[blam]

Ping.

[blam]

Forgot to post the picture that was with the article.

[per loin]

What? The dragon died?

[prion]

It is believed a large number of objects were thrown into River Cetina deliberately, possibly as offerings to gods. Initial surveys of the site indicate that the remarkable finds span a period of history from 6,000 BC onwards.

Whoa. Cool.

I wonder if this is just part of the mysterious, universal human desire to throw crap into running water. Everywhere I've been where a road and a stream intersect, you'll find old mattresses, belly-sprung couches and rusting shopping cards.

I'm not being facetious. It really puzzles me.

[colorado tanker]

Wetlands? Sorry, mate, you can't dig in there. The EPA would be all over you.

[EggsAckley]

Wow! Just Wow!

[keithtoo]

Righteous Roman Refuse bump!

[templar]

From the looks of that helmet, the guy was either very lucky he had it on or there is probably a skeleton somewhere nearby.

[dead]

Rome was founded less than 3,000 years ago. Why do they claim these Roman artifacts are part of 8,000 year old find?

Or were people throwing their weapons in this same spot in the river for more than 5,000 years?

[blam]

"Or were people throwing their weapons in this same spot in the river for more than 5,000 years?"

That's the way I read it.

[Sloth]

"Yo, dude -- you dropped your sword!"

[flashbunny]

"Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government! Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!"

[Sloth]

"Be quiet!"

[abner]

"Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government! Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!"

And why not? Hmmmm? Saddam did get 100% of the vote his last election you know. . . . So much for the masses. Hmmph!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

30 Greco-Illyrian helmets

???Is this before the Greeks?

[ruoflaw]

what a great find! It sounds like the valley has alot of flooding :o)

[JeanLM]

Python (Monty) Search for the Holy Grail quote. Right?

[ruoflaw]

I don't know post a proper link so I sent it to you by mail

[blam]

Here it is:

Twlight Of The Celts (My title)