A group of Bronze Age metal objects including axe heads and sickles has been discovered outside Słubice in western Poland. Members of a local metal detecting group scanning with the permission of the Lubusz Provincial Conservator of Monuments found the deposit two weeks ago scattered in an area known as Lynx Field. The grouping consists of three sickles, two axes, four bracelets (three of them with engraved decoration), six rings, two pieces of wire and a part of a bronze pin. There was also a remnant of foundry waste.

Archaeologists have not yet commented on the significance of the find. However, it is difficult not to associate it with previous finds of the so-called foundry or bronzesmiths’ treasures. This is indicated by the heterogeneous nature of the discovered objects (ornaments, weapons, household items) and foundry waste. For example, the previous such find, from the vicinity of Gubin, is associated with the creation of the Lusatian Urnfield culture community from the Bronze Age and is tentatively dated to the 4th period of the Bronze Age (1000-800 BC). In fact, there have already been several such discoveries in Lubuskie. Because times were turbulent then and bronze was worth its weight in gold, bronze makers often hid their treasures.

Access to the find site has been blocked to other metal detectorists until authorities have the opportunity to explore it further. The artifacts will be transferred to a museum for study and conservation.