Builders found a cache of gold treasures under a wall (3 photos + 1 video)
A treasure trove of gold and diamond jewelry has been found during restoration work in the Dordogne department of France. The treasures were hidden under an ancient stone wall. 
The valuable historical artifacts were reportedly found by members of the Périgord Pierre Sèche organization, which specializes in the study and restoration of dry-stone structures. The masons who stumbled upon the treasure were working on the reconstruction of a wall in the commune of Saint-André-d'Alla, near Sarlat-la-Canéda. 
"When you restore such walls, you first dig right down to the foundation. I did it with a mechanical excavator, but when I got out to inspect the area, I noticed this," said the organization's director, Jean-Marc Audit.
The cache also contained gold rings, pearl brooches, bracelets encrusted with jewelry, and hairpins. The jewelry had apparently been lying under the wall for a long time and was entangled among the roots of an old tree. It is still unknown how, why, and when it ended up there. 
"The treasure was found on communal land, so by law it belongs equally to the finder and the owner of the land," Audit said. According to him, all parties agreed not to sell the artifacts.
Now the city hall of Saint-André-d'All, which reported the discovery to the prefecture and gendarmerie the day before, is conducting an investigation to find out the history of the jewelry. "We are asking local residents to tell us any mention of these jewels," city hall representatives said.
Mr. Audit, for his part, is concerned that the discovery will ultimately harm his association as other treasure hunters begin to dig up the commune's 100 km of stone walls. That's why he won't say where exactly the treasure is.
