The Oldest Gold Treasures in the World

Panagyurishte Treasure

The Panagyurishte Treasure is a Thracian treasure consisting of nine gold vessels (a phiale, an amphora and seven rhytons) with total weight of 6.164 kg of 23-karat gold. All of the objects are richly and skilfully decorated with scenes of Thracian myths, customs and life. Three of the jugs-rhytons are in the shape of the heads of the goddesses Hera, Aphrodite and Athena. Multiple mythological scenes with heroes of the Greek mythology – Dionysus, Apollo, Artemis – are presented on the rhytons.

The treasure is dated to the 4th-3rd centuries BC, and is thought to have been used as a royal ceremonial set, possibly by a Thracian king. As one of the best known surviving artifacts of Thracian culture, the treasure has been displayed at various museums around the world. When not on a tour, the treasure is the centerpiece of the Thracian art collection of the National Museum of History in Sofia.

ROGOZEN TREASURE

The largest, oldest and richest Thracian treasure. The magnificent collection consists of 165 silver objects, 131 of which gilded and weighs over 20 kg.
The decoration of the silverware depicts scenes from the Thracian religion and from Greek mythology and is an invaluable source of information testifying to the cultural exchange between the ancient Greeks and the Thracian. The silver and gilded objects strike with their exquisite forms, while their rich elaboration shows different styles and degrees of mastery and reveals different mythological plots with Thracian motifs that in a matchless way penetrate the distant depths of humanity bringing our mysterious Thracian ancestors to life.

The variety in style and workmanship of the silverware shows they were made, collected and added to over a long period of time – from the end of tth to the 4th century BC. Some of them bear various dedicatory captions revealing the names of Thracian kings and of the goldsmiths who made them. Undoubtedly, the great Odrysian King Kotis, whose name is inscribed on some of the objects, owned these objects made in cities under his rule when Thracian culture and Thracian states on the Balkan Peninsula were at their greatest bloom and might.

More trasures from Bulgaria

THE OLDEST GOLD IN THE WORLD Varna Gold Ttreasure has an exceptional value dating back to the 6th millennium BC. This sensational find witnesses about the ancient civilizations on the Bulgarian lands before the Thracians. Varna treasure attracts the attention of scientists from around the whole world. With more than 3,000 golden articles the treasure impresses viewers with their exceptional diversity – more than 38 types of articles, totally weighing more than 6 kilograms.

THE OLDEST GOLD IN THE WORLD

Varna Gold Ttreasure has an exceptional value dating back to the 6th millennium BC. This sensational find witnesses about the ancient civilizations on the Bulgarian lands before the Thracians. Varna treasure attracts the attention of scientists from around the whole world. With more than 3,000 golden articles the treasure impresses viewers with their exceptional diversity – more than 38 types of articles, totally weighing more than 6 kilograms.
Golyama Kosmatka Golyama Kosmatka mound kept one of the biggest and best preserved aristocratic graves in Bulgaria. Built in the 5th Century BC, the tomb contained a variety of expensive weapons and precious objects, including a beautiful gold wreath. The most astonishing find from Golyama Kosmatka, however, was a masterfully cast bronze head of a man with an unruly beard and strong features. The head was probably a depiction of Seuthes himself, and may have been cut from an actual, life-sized statue of this Thracian king.

Golyama Kosmatka

Golyama Kosmatka mound kept one of the biggest and best preserved aristocratic graves in Bulgaria. Built in the 5th Century BC, the tomb contained a variety of expensive weapons and precious objects, including a beautiful gold wreath. The most astonishing find from Golyama Kosmatka, however, was a masterfully cast bronze head of a man with an unruly beard and strong features. The head was probably a depiction of Seuthes himself, and may have been cut from an actual, life-sized statue of this Thracian king.
Vulchitrun Golden Treasure The biggest golden treasure known to the Bulgarian archaeology – 12,5 kg of pure gold with natural alloys of silver, copper and iron dating back to the end of the Bronze Age, 13th – 12th century BC. The hoard consists of 13 receptacles, different in form and size. The Vulchitrun Treasure is not only one of the oldest and the largest in Europe. It is also of high artistic value.

Vulchitrun Golden Treasure

The biggest golden treasure known to the Bulgarian archaeology – 12,5 kg of pure gold with natural alloys of silver, copper and iron dating back to the end of the Bronze Age, 13th – 12th century BC. The hoard consists of 13 receptacles, different in form and size. The Vulchitrun Treasure is not only one of the oldest and the largest in Europe. It is also of high artistic value.
Preslav Golden Treasure The most significant treasure of The Golden Age of Bulgarian history, the Preslavian golden treasure is a brilliant illustration of the life in the castles of Great Preslav.The treasure consists of more than 170 golden, silver and bronze ladies’ jewels.

Preslav Golden Treasure

The most significant treasure of The Golden Age of Bulgarian history, the Preslavian golden treasure is a brilliant illustration of the life in the castles of Great Preslav.The treasure consists of more than 170 golden, silver and bronze ladies’ jewels.
Borovo Treasure A splendid set of five silver-and-gilt utensils illustrating scenes from the mythological cycles with Dionysus and Heracles,sphinxes, satyrs and griffons.Dated from the first half of the 4th century BC. The treasure bears an inscription in Greek letters with the name of the Thracian king Kotys I who reigned the Odryssaean Kingdom from 383 to 359 BC and that of the craftsman Etbeos.

Borovo Treasure

A splendid set of five silver-and-gilt utensils illustrating scenes from the mythological cycles with Dionysus and Heracles,sphinxes, satyrs and griffons.Dated from the first half of the 4th century BC. The treasure bears an inscription in Greek letters with the name of the Thracian king Kotys I who reigned the Odryssaean Kingdom from 383 to 359 BC and that of the craftsman Etbeos.
The Golden Mask of Teres I The golden life-size mask of Teres I found in his tomb in the Valley of the Thracian Kings. Crafted out of 23 carat gold the mask dates back to the 5th century BC and it weighs 690 grams. It has been created specifically for the funeral service of a Thracian ruler, whose face known from coins minted in his time bears resemblance with the face from the mask.

The Golden Mask of Teres I

The golden life-size mask of Teres I found in his tomb in the Valley of the Thracian Kings. Crafted out of 23 carat gold the mask dates back to the 5th century BC and it weighs 690 grams. It has been created specifically for the funeral service of a Thracian ruler, whose face known from coins minted in his time bears resemblance with the face from the mask.

The Oldest Gold Treasures in the World

Panagyurishte Treasure

More trasures from Bulgaria

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