An important archaeological discovery has been made in Finland, where , near the village of Sysmä, what appears to be the largest hoard of silver coins from the Viking Age ever found in Finland has been unearthed. The last time a hoard of this size was discovered was in Nousiainen more than a hundred years ago, in 1895: that hoard contained just under two and a half kilograms, about 1,700 coins, and other objects.
The discovery was made on Thursday, September 3, by Kalle Lappinen, an amateur metal-detector enthusiast; the following day, the site was inspected and the hoard was recovered under the guidance of Esko Tikkala, an archaeologist with the Lahti Museums, which are responsible for the area and which publicized the discovery. In addition to the silver coins, the hoard includes a fragment of a silver payment token, a silver bracelet, a silver buckle, and a pearl made of the same material. The coins and objects had been placed inside two containers made of birch bark, buried at a depth of about 45 centimeters below ground level, wedged between some stones and about 12 meters apart from one another.
The total weight of the coins found is approximately 4.5 kilograms. Since the coins have not yet been cleaned, sorted, or counted individually, their exact weight, precise number, and more accurate dating can only be determined during further research. It is not yet clear who owned the hoard. However, researchers expect to learn more about how valuables were hidden thanks to the discovery of the containers, while the coins may reveal the trade connections of the time.
Under Finnish law, finds made with a metal detector and any other object presumed to be more than 100 years old must always be reported to the Finnish Heritage Agency via the online reporting service called Ilppari. With regard to archaeological finds in general, the law stipulates that objects older than 100 years, whose owner is unknown, must be handed over to the Finnish Heritage Agency.
Regarding the use of metal detectors in relation to archaeological sites, Finnish law stipulates that, based on the right of free access to nature, it is generally possible to use a metal detector in forested areas without the need for a specific permit. However, if the use of the device involves direct interference with the ground—such as digging to recover any objects—it is advisable to request prior authorization from the landowner; this requirement also applies to state- or municipally-owned forests. Permission must also be obtained from the landowner for agricultural land, riverbanks, parks, and public areas.
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| Finland's Largest Viking Silver Treasure in the Country's History Discovered |
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