2,000-year-old treasure discovered beneath former sports field, breaking regional record

Archaeologists in Germany uncovered 11 ancient Celtic coins dating back more than 2,000 years during excavations in Thuringia.(Martin Schutt/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)

The 11 coins, dating back to the first century B.C., were identified as a type ofancient Celtic currencyknown as Prague-type quinarii.

“Until now, only about 80 examples of these quinarii had been identified throughout Thuringia, underscoring the significance of the Singen hoard,” the translated statement said.

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WORKERS RENOVATING MAJOR CITY STREET STUMBLE ON ANCIENT DISCOVERY BURIED 20 FEET BELOW

“The mint responsible for producing the coins is believed to have been located in the Gotha region, to the northwest.”

The Celts were groups of ancient people who lived across much of Europe during the Iron Age, with Celtic languages and traditions surviving today in places such as Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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Archaeologists identified the coins as Prague-type quinarii, a form of ancient Celtic currency dating to the first century B.C.(Martin Schutt/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The coins were originally buried together in a container made of organic material that has since decomposed, archaeologists believe.The coins were found scattered across an area measuring roughly 19 feet by 5 feet — likely a result of plowing.

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Officials described the discovery as a “closed find,” suggesting that all the coins originally buried together were recovered.

While just 11 coins may seem like a modest haul to some, archaeologists consider the discovery atreasure troveof information about the ancient world.

“Through the ongoing mapping of discoveries from the same period and cultural background, researchers can draw conclusions about ancient trade routes and production centers,” the translated statement added.

The ancient coins were discovered at Singer Berg in Thuringia, where archaeologists were investigating land ahead of construction of a fire station.(Martin Schutt/picture alliance via Getty Images)

“The Singen treasure hoard has significantly expanded our existing knowledge in this area.”

Archaeologists also found anancient Roman coinand a medieval glass bead — as well as a knife fragment, another silver coin and a Prussian uniform button from the 19th or 20th century.

Officials also emphasized the broader significance of the discovery and the importance of proper archaeological practices.

“[The] treasure hoard has significantly expanded our existing knowledge in this area.”

“This once again demonstrates the importance of preserving the archaeological context of discoveries, in contrast to isolated metal finds recovered, for example, through improper or illegal metal detecting without documentation of their original locations,” the statement concluded.

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Metal detectorists have made headlines for uncovering other ancient treasures across Europe.

The discovery of 11 Celtic coins in central Germany has provided researchers with new information about ancient trade and currency.(Martin Schutt/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Recently, a man using a metal detector in a German field discovered934 ancient Roman silver coinsdating back nearly 2,000 years.

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In Finland, a metal detectorist recently uncovered a massiveViking Age silver hoardcontaining an estimated 4,000 coins, along with jewelry and other artifacts.