Gold, bracelets, cigar cases: Czech hikers uncover hidden hoard

In a recent article, CNN highlights that two hikers in the Krkonoše Mountains of the Czech Republic stumbled upon a priceless treasure buried in time. The hoard, which includes ten gold bracelets, cigar cases, and 598 gold coins, has left experts and locals alike scrambling to piece together its enigmatic origin. What began as a routine hike has sparked a mystery that may reveal secrets of the region's tumultuous past.

The hikers, who wish to remain anonymous, stumbled upon the stash while taking a shortcut through the forest. They noticed an aluminum box sticking out of a rocky wall and, upon opening it, found the gold. They immediately took the discovery to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové, where the head of archaeology, Miroslav Novak, confirmed the find.

“The finders came to our museum’s numismatist without a prior appointment. Only after that did archaeologists begin to deal with the find,” Novak said in an email to CNN.

Though the exact origins of the treasure remain uncertain, one clue is clear: it cannot be older than 1921, as one coin in the collection is dated that year. The rest of the items are still being analyzed, with historians speculating that the stash might be linked to the turbulent period before World War II or to events surrounding 1945 when German populations were leaving the area.

Novak believes the coins’ origin is unusual, with half of them being from the Balkans and the other half from France. "Central European coins, such as German ones, are completely missing. But the find is located on the former ethnic border between the Czech and German populations," he said.

The discovery has raised several theories, including the possibility that the treasure belonged to wealthy families or was war loot from Czechoslovak legionnaires. Further research is ongoing to determine the full historical context and value of the items.

For now, the treasure will be preserved at the museum, with a small exhibition planned for the fall. According to Czech law, the finder is entitled to a financial reward based on the value of the discovery.

“Since the treasure was correctly handed over to the museum, the finder will be rewarded based on the historical appraisal,” Novak said.

By Naila Huseynova