4 Aug 2016 Treasure found during pond restoration

Archaeologists discovered 36 gold and six silver coins during the restoration of the castle pond in Frýdlant. The treasure remained in the local castle and chateau. Researchers reported on the treasure when the pond was refilled.

Five years ago, archaeologists focused on the northern part of the pond, where the remains of the wooden structure of the mill embankment were found. The oldest parts date back to the second half of the sixteenth century.

Four years ago, the dam was repaired and the pond bottom was modified by removing sediment. Archaeological research at this stage has also confirmed the existence of an older dam in the form of a timber and clay structure.

"'This was the remains of a grid reinforced with clay and clay embankment. The body of the dyke is permeated by a still functional pond outlet, while the archaeological research also confirmed the existence of relics of theto the local sawmill, which used to stand behind the dam and has not been preserved to this day," said Renata Tišerová, the head of the archaeological research.

The archaeologists examined the bottom of the pond. In addition to a large number of movable artefacts, part of a ceramic vessel and a coin were found there. It was 36 gold and six silver coins. There were gold ducats and double ducats, silver half-dollars and quarter-dollars.

The oldest dated coin is a ducat of Ferdinand I of Hungary from 1528, while the youngest surviving coins date from 1642.

"This is a ducat and a double ducat of Ferdinand III. It is therefore clear that the deposition of the depot must have taken place in the last years of the Thirty Years' War or just after its end. We are not able to reconstruct the exact place, circumstances and reasons for the deposition of the coin depot with certainty today, but it is certain that it is ashelter of high quality commercial coins with a large nominal value, and thus the deposit of considerable wealth," Tišerová added.

The treasure has become part of a separate tour route at the Frýdlant State Castle and Chateau. The castle pond is part of it. It has undergone extensive revitalisation, so an archaeological survey was necessary. The work included earthworks associated with the modification of the banks, the pond inlet, outlets and the pond bottom area.

Sources: www. mesto-frydlant.cz, www.rozhlas.cz