Bronze Age treasure discovered at the site of Roman battles in the Swiss Alps (5 photos)

Archaeologists excavating in the Oberhalbstein valley in Switzerland, discovered a metal treasure containing more than 80 bronze artifacts dating from 1200 B.C. to 1000 BC or late Bronze Age.





Oberhalbstein is located in the canton of Graubünden, the eastern region of Switzerland, about 160 kilometers southeast of Zurich.

In 2021 the Graubünden Archaeological Survey (ADG) launched a new research project to systematically study landscape for signs of conflict between Rome and the Suanetes. Treasure Bronze Age was discovered as part of this project.



Treasure found in a field south of an ancient settlement on transalpine trade route, dates back to the 12th or 11th century BC. This the largest and most important Bronze Age hoard discovered in canton Graubünden for the entire history of excavations.





Although the find has only just been announced, the archaeological Grisons Service (ADG) discovered the treasure back in October 2022 after after a volunteer who had explored this place with a metal detector, warned archaeologists about the found metal.

The items have been intentionally damaged so that they cannot be use, placed in a wooden box, wrapped in leather and buried in valley.



Archaeologists reported that most of the items were metal, which may be related to metal production in the Alps. Among them were several pieces of raw copper, sickles, axes, part of the saw and jewelry. They were deliberately damaged before burial.

"A comprehensive scientific study that will follow this find, unique for our region, will certainly provide exhaustive conclusions about the cultural, economic and landscape history late Bronze Age,” says Thomas Reitmeier, an archaeologist from Canton of Grisons.

According to him, the treasures found will allow a better understanding of the culture and economy of the Late Bronze Age.