Archaeologists in Germany have uncovered a remarkably large silver hoard, a discovery brought to light when workers unearthed multiple medieval coins in the Glottertal region, a mountainous area near Freiburg. The moment of revelation was formally announced through the channels of the Regional Council of Stuttgart, marking a significant milestone for regional archaeology.
During routine construction work for a swimming pool, builders unintentionally exposed fragments of medieval silver. Expert investigators soon arrived and, employing a range of analytical methods, recovered more than 1,500 minted coins dating back to the 14th century. The coins, arranged in a concealed cache, point to a substantial and deliberate concealment of wealth in the medieval period.
Researchers suggest that the treasure represents a sizable fortune that disappeared from ordinary circulation and was buried for safekeeping. In medieval German economies, such caches could hold enough value to purchase large livestock herds, including as many as 150 sheep, underscoring the scale of wealth involved and the risk of loss or concealment during turbulent times.
Post-cleaning assessments indicate that the coinage likely originated in the 1320s, with minting centers spanning what is now Germany, Switzerland, and parts of France. The stylistic features and inscriptions on the coins help scholars trace the routes of trade, the political borders of the era, and the interconnected economies of the region.
Experts note that this find is the most substantial treasure unearthed near Freiburg since records began, highlighting the Glottertal valley as a historically important mining corridor. Silver mining in the area began as far back as the 9th century, and the landscape bears the imprint of centuries of extractive activity, trade networks, and the communities that supported and benefited from such wealth.
The discovery adds a fresh chapter to the long-standing narrative of medieval wealth in the region, suggesting a well-organized system for storing valuable assets outside of urban settings. The ongoing study of these coins aims to shed light on monetary circulation, regional governance, and the daily lives of those who lived through the Middle Ages in this part of Europe. While the main cache lies in Germany, researchers are considering the broader cross-border connections that might have influenced minting and distribution across neighboring territories.