Recent archaeological excavations in the legendary city of Troy have once again captured the attention of archaeologists, after the discovery of what researchers describe as one of the most important artifacts of the current century.
Recent archaeological excavations in the legendary city of Troy have once again captured the attention of archaeologists after the discovery of a collection of rare artifacts, considered among the most important discoveries of the current century, according to Arkeonews.
The discovered items included a 4,500-year-old gold pin, a rare jade stone, and a bronze pin, all dating back to the Early Bronze Age. Fashion pins (fibulae) were not only used to fasten clothing in ancient times but also symbolized social status and wealth. The discovered model is extremely rare, with only two similar examples found worldwide, and boasts exceptional preservation.
The gold pin was found in the Troy II cultural layer, accurately dating this period to around 2500 BC. The discovery resolved a long-standing controversy and established the timeframe for the beginning of the Bronze Age in the region. The discovery also included the rare jade stone, which was valued in ancient times as a symbol of power and wealth, and may have been intended for jewelry, such as a necklace or ring. This artifact confirms Troy's extensive trade connections and the use of luxury goods in daily and ritual life.
Located near the modern-day Turkish city of Çanakkale, Troy has been famous for thousands of years thanks to its blend of history and mythology, immortalized by Homer in the Iliad, which tells the story of the Trojan War.
Archaeological research at Troy began over 160 years ago, with the most famous excavations being those carried out by Heinrich Schliemann in the 19th century. Since then, scholars have identified at least nine major settlement layers (Troy I to Troy IX), spanning the Early Bronze Age through the Byzantine period, demonstrating Troy's continuing importance as a strategic hub linking the Aegean and Black Seas.
