Silver coins from the era of the First Crusade have been discovered in Croatia.

In northern Croatia, archaeologists have discovered a rare hoard of medieval silver coins associated with the era of the First Crusade. The unexpected find was made at the Batina site in the Baranya region, where previously only the layers of the Iron Age and the Roman border had been explored. This was reported on December 4 in Arkeonews magazine.

The research in Batin, traditionally focused on Roman fortifications and monuments of the Iron Age, led to an unexpected result. In the layers belonging to ancient cultures, archaeologists came across objects that could not belong to these eras. Among them was a unique treasure trove of 56 silver French coins from the XI–XIII centuries, a time that overlaps with the period of the First Crusade.

According to the curator and archaeologist Domogoy Duimich, the find was a complete surprise. He noted that even in France, where these coins were minted, they are rare. There was an acute shortage of silver in Europe at that time: mining was declining, trade routes were disrupted, and political crises reduced the issue of coins. Therefore, many varieties have been preserved only in single copies.

It is precisely because of this rarity that the Croatian find was so highly appreciated. Some types of coins from the hoard account for more than 10% of all known specimens worldwide, an indicator that is considered unique in numismatics. Thanks to this discovery, Croatia now occupies a place among the centers of the most important medieval numismatic finds in Europe.

The sea of discoveries: the compass organ of birds and the ancient city of metallurgists on the Irtysh

Izvestia has prepared a selection of the most interesting science news for the week

The treasure's connection with the First Crusade is considered the most likely. French coins of the XI–XII centuries could belong to crusaders or pilgrims who moved through the Balkan lands to Constantinople. There were indeed less documented routes of small groups, families, and individual travelers through the north of Croatia.

The treasure is now on display at the Osijek Archaeological Museum, where it has already attracted the attention of researchers and visitors. The exhibition is accompanied by materials about the origin of coins and their historical role, which allows the audience to see one of the most significant numismatic exhibits in Europe.

Arkeonews magazine reported on December 3 that archaeologists had found a long—sought temple of Zeus in Limir, near Finike in Antalya, Turkey, an object known from inscriptions since 1982, but which had remained out of sight for more than four decades. For the first time in many years, it became possible to link the sanctuary to the urban layout and restore its role in the development of the territory from the classical era to late antiquity.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.