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Treasure of the Sixth Century With Nine Bracteates, Three Rings and Ten Gold Beads Found in Rennesøy. Stavanger Archaeological Museum Confirms Uniqueness and Cites Legislation That Requires Delivery to the State.
A 51-year-old man found, using a metal detector, a set of about 1,500 years old jewelry on an island near Stavanger, Norway. The package includes nine bracteates (thin gold medals), ten beads, and three rings, pieces that formed a high-status necklace. Archaeologists described the find as “the find of the century” in the country.
The jewelry was unearthed on the island of Rennesøy and weighs just over 100 grams. Experts from the Archaeological Museum of the University of Stavanger state that discovering so much gold at once is extremely rare and that there has been no record of a similar find in Norway since the 19th century.
The motif engraved on the medals, a wounded horse associated with the Norse god Odin, is considered unusual and reinforces the scientific value of the collection. The current interpretation is that the figure symbolizes sickness and suffering, but also hope for healing and renewal.
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Under Norwegian rules, objects from before 1537 and coins from before 1650 belong to the State and must be delivered to the authorities. The museum reported that the pieces have undergone conservation and have been announced for exhibition in Stavanger.
What Exactly Was Found: Bracteates, Beads, and Rings From the Sixth Century
There were nine nearly flat bracteates, minted in gold and hung as medals, as well as ten beads and three rings. Together, the pieces formed a display necklace used by the elite during the Migration Period (approximately 400–550 A.D.).
The set weighs more than 100 g and dates to c. 500 A.D., according to stylistic and comparative dating conducted by museum researchers. The concentration of pieces in a single location is what led the museum’s management to refer to it as the “find of the century” in Norway.
The horse motifs engraved on the faces of the medals stand out. The pattern differs from other bracteates already cataloged in Scandinavia and reinforces the originality of the Rennesøy collection, according to experts studying the Germanic iconography of this period.
The Discovery Occurred in Rennesøy, Near Stavanger
The detectorist was walking with the equipment when he picked up the signal and initially thought he found “ordinary coins”. Upon digging, he realized it was gold. The episode took place in the summer of 2023 in Rennesøy, an archipelago in the municipality of Stavanger, southwestern Norway.
After locating the first pieces, he notified the museum, as required by law. The archaeology team supervised the retrieval, recording, and conservation of the material, which now becomes part of the institutional collection.
The guidance to report finds is reiterated by Norwegian authorities, as the country considers archaeological goods public heritage. This case has become a reference for best practices for amateurs using metal detectors.
Norwegian Laws and Lessons for Those Using Metal Detectors
Norway mandates that objects before 1537 and coins before 1650 are the property of the State and must be reported; those who find them must notify the authorities. This rule exists to ensure research, conservation, and public exhibition.
Experts remind us that while the practice of “treasure hunting” is popular, the main objective is scientific preservation. Finds out of context or without registration can lose historical value and hinder reliable interpretations.
In your opinion, should Brazil adopt stricter rules for finds with metal detectors, similar to Norway, or would clear reward models encourage responsible discoveries? Leave your comment.
Acho justo que pertença ao estado, mas acho injusto que o detectorista não receba um bom prêmio pelo achado, até porque esse prêmio poderia incentivar novos achados…