Czech archaeologists have announced a remarkable discovery: a massive hoard containing hundreds of gold and silver coins, various pieces of jewelry, and bronze artifacts found in the northern expanse of the Plzeň Region. This significant cache dates back approximately to the VI–I centuries BCE, firmly placing it within the La Tène period, the peak era of Celtic culture. While excavations commenced in 2021, researchers successfully concluded a crucial phase of the project in 2025 and subsequently presented their initial findings to the public.
According to Jan Mařík, Director of the Archaeological Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the primary goal of the undertaking was to "salvage movable archaeological finds that were under immediate threat due to the activities of illegal diggers, agricultural soil cultivation, and natural elements." Consequently, the precise coordinates of the site are being strictly withheld. Archaeologists fear that disclosing the location could attract unauthorized treasure hunters, jeopardizing the integrity of the remaining cultural layer.
Based on the recovered artifacts, experts believe the location was not a permanent settlement. Instead, it likely functioned as a seasonal trading hub or fairground, attracting Celts from diverse geographical areas.
Archaeologist David Daneček suggested that the items were probably lost accidentally by individuals—small coins and ornaments might have dropped unnoticed during intense trading or bartering activities. He also hypothesized that the fragments of gold and silver ingots recovered might have served as an early form of currency or means of calculation, or perhaps were controlled by a local chieftain overseeing commercial transactions.
The collection includes miniature, exquisitely minted coins featuring animal imagery, along with bronze clasps, pins, bracelets, pendants, and a small horse figurine. Of particular note is the Hallstatt period gold jewelry, which provides evidence of an earlier cultural stratum predating the La Tène civilization. This chronological overlap allows researchers to trace the evolution of economic and craft traditions across Central Europe over several centuries.
Daniel Straník, an archaeologist from the Museum and Gallery of North Plzeň, emphasized the international importance of the discovery. He stated, "Among the gold and silver coins are types previously unknown to science. This finding could fundamentally alter our understanding of the development of Celtic coinage in Bohemia." He added that analyzing the metal alloys and minting techniques will help pinpoint production centers and establish trade connections among Celtic tribes throughout Central Europe.
To document the artifacts, researchers employed modern, non-invasive methods, including 3D scanning, stratigraphic mapping, and chemical-spectral analysis of the alloys. This careful approach minimized disturbance to the cultural layer and ensured the preservation of the context surrounding the finds. Archaeologists returned to the site every season, refining the stratigraphy and gathering further data regarding the spatial layout of the ancient marketplace.
A selection of the collection is currently on display at the Mariánská Tynice museum, a historical center in the region that once housed a Cistercian monastery and pilgrimage complex. However, as museum director Pavel Kodera pointed out, "Only a small fraction of the discoveries is shown in the exhibition. The most unique items remain in secure storage and will be published only after the full scientific evaluation is complete."
Historians remind us that the Celts, contrary to common misconceptions, were not confined solely to the western edges of Europe; they actively settled territories encompassing modern Czechia, Germany, Austria, and the Balkans. Their culture left an indelible mark on the region’s archaeological landscape, ranging from fortified oppida to ritual hoards like this one. This new discovery not only enriches the holdings of Czech archaeological museums but also offers a rare window into the economic and spiritual life of the Celts, untouched by previous looting. This "secret market," hidden within the verdant hills of the Plzeň Region, provides a crucial key to understanding one of Europe's most enigmatic Iron Age cultures—a culture that seamlessly blended craftsmanship, commerce, and sacred traditions.