In 1864, a shepherd boy stumbled upon a remarkable treasure on the slopes of the Hohe Wand mountains in Lower Austria. This discovery, known as the Stollhof Hoard, dates back to around 4000 BC, placing it firmly in the Copper Age. The hoard includes Austria’s earliest known gold objects, making it a significant find in European prehistory.
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The Discovery: A Glimpse into the Copper Age
The hoard was found at an elevation of 700 to 800 meters above the village of Stollhof. It included a variety of gold and copper items, buried together for reasons that remain unknown. Was this a hidden cache of wealth or a ritual offering to the gods? Unfortunately, the circumstances of the hoard’s burial are lost to history, and we can only speculate about the people who left these treasures behind.
The Copper Age, also known as the Chalcolithic period, was a time of major technological and social change. People had recently learned to smelt copper ore, leading to the production of metal tools and decorative items. The wheel was invented, and horses were domesticated, creating new possibilities for travel and trade. These developments are reflected in the objects found at Stollhof, which include not only local craftsmanship but also items that hint at long-distance connections with other cultures.
What Was Found: A Rich Collection of Gold and Copper
The Stollhof Hoard consists of a fascinating array of objects, including:
- Nine spiral rolls: Made of copper, these spiral-shaped items range in length from 5.6 to 24 centimeters. Their purpose is unclear, though they were likely decorative or symbolic.
- Six double spiral pendants: Crafted from round wire, these pendants are intricate works of art. Two are tightly wrapped with small loops, while the other four have larger, more open loops. The outer diameters range from 10.1 to 12.3 centimeters.
- Two flat copper axes: These are practical tools, measuring 14 and 16.5 centimeters in length. One of the axes has been identified as belonging to the Szakálhát type, which is typical of the Bodrogkeresztúr culture from modern-day Hungary, indicating cultural exchanges between regions.
- Two spiral bracelets: With whorls measuring around 9.5 to 10 centimeters, these bracelets were likely high-status items, perhaps worn by elite members of the community.
- Two gold discs: These are the standout pieces of the hoard, with diameters of 10.6 and 13.8 centimeters, weighing 71 and 121 grams, respectively. The discs are decorated with intricate repoussé (hammered relief) designs and feature small holes around the edges, likely used to attach them to clothing or leather. Their function remains unclear, but they were probably decorative, signifying wealth or religious importance.
- A decorative sheet: Shaped like a wild boar’s tooth, this bent gold sheet measures 15.2 centimeters in length. Its unusual shape adds another layer of mystery to the hoard.
The Significance of the Gold Discs
The two gold discs are the most intriguing items in the Stollhof Hoard. Their craftsmanship suggests they were highly valued, but their exact purpose remains uncertain. The small holes around the edges suggest they were sewn onto fabric or leather, perhaps as decorative symbols of power or status. Similar discs have been found in places like Poland and Hungary, indicating widespread cultural exchanges across Europe during the Copper Age. The fact that these discs bear similarities to items from distant regions hints at a complex network of trade and interaction during this period.
Theories and Connections
One of the axes in the hoard is linked to the Bodrogkeresztúr culture, which flourished in the Carpathian Basin. This suggests that the hoard may not have been entirely local in origin. Some experts believe that the items, particularly the gold, were made by coppersmiths from what is now Romania. This theory is supported by the discovery of similar gold artifacts in Eastern Europe.
Additionally, the Stollhof Hoard shows parallels with treasures from Brześć Kujawski and Jordansmühl in Poland, as well as Zalaszentgrót in Hungary. These connections imply that people in the Hohe Wand region were part of a broader trade network that stretched across Central and Eastern Europe. Items like amber and jewelry flowed through this network, along with the precious gold objects that were buried near Stollhof.
The Copper Age: A Period of Transformation
The Stollhof Hoard provides a snapshot of a world in transition. The Copper Age was a time of technological innovation and social upheaval. The ability to smelt copper led to the production of new tools and weapons, giving rise to specialized craftspeople and trade routes. Social hierarchies began to emerge, as evidenced by the high-quality, decorative items found in the hoard. These changes were accompanied by a growing sense of mobility, with wagons, carts, and domesticated horses enabling people to travel greater distances and engage in long-distance trade.
In this context, the Stollhof Hoard stands as a testament to the early metalworking skills of the Copper Age. It also hints at the connections between regions as far apart as modern-day Austria, Poland, Hungary, and Romania.
Conclusion: A Window into the Past
The Stollhof Hoard is not only a collection of beautiful objects but also a window into the lives of people who lived 6,000 years ago. It highlights the complexity of Copper Age society, where metalworking, trade, and social status were becoming increasingly important. The gold discs, in particular, remain a mystery, their purpose and significance lost to time. Yet their discovery, along with the other treasures, offers a tantalizing glimpse into a distant past, where people were beginning to shape the world in new and transformative ways.
Though many details about the hoard remain unknown, its importance is undeniable. As Austria’s oldest collection of gold and copper artifacts, the Stollhof Hoard continues to inspire curiosity and admiration, offering clues to the rich and complex history of early Europe.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Google Arts and Culture
Image Credit
Research Gate
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