Medieval Homeowners in Bulgaria Treasured 1,500-Year-Old Byzantine Gold

A remarkable discovery in Bulgaria connects two distinct eras, as archaeologists unearthed five gold coins dating back to the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great (527-565 AD) within the charred remains of a 10th-century house.

This unexpected find suggests the medieval residents may have treasured these ancient coins, holding onto them for centuries as heirlooms or artifacts of a bygone age.

The discovery took place in August 2023 during ongoing excavations at the village of Debnevo in northern Bulgaria. This site, with a history stretching back millennia, also features a nearby fortress dating back to the 5th century AD. While the region boasts evidence of habitation from as early as the 3rd century BC, the unearthed house, ravaged by a fire in the 10th century AD, offered a unique glimpse into the medieval period.

Among the typical remnants of medieval life – iron tools, a belt buckle, ceramic fragments, and bronze rings – lay the five gold coins, dramatically predating the dwelling itself by roughly 400 years. Each coin, a "tremissis" (one-third of a "solidus"), bears the image of Emperor Justinian the Great, his likeness adorned with a pearl diadem. The reverse side depicts Victory, a symbolic figure, holding a wreath, a cross, and a globe. Inscriptions proclaim Justinian as "Perpetual Augustus" and celebrate the "Victory of the Augusts," echoing the legacy of the Roman Empire which Justinian famously sought to restore.

The presence of these coins within a 10th-century home raises intriguing questions. Stiliyan Ivanov, the expedition leader from the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, suggests a compelling theory: "Our working hypothesis is that the owners kept the coins because of the gold value." This theory points to a fascinating possibility - that these coins, remnants of a powerful empire, transcended their historical context to become treasured possessions for their inherent worth.

Adding another layer to the mystery, the archaeologists note that the medieval dwelling was constructed upon the foundations of an earlier Byzantine structure. This detail raises the possibility that the coins were unearthed during the construction of the 10th-century home, becoming cherished finds for the new occupants.

The discovery provides a tangible link between the Byzantine era, a period of significant cultural and political influence, and the lives of those living centuries later in the medieval period. It speaks volumes about the enduring appeal of gold and the human tendency to preserve and value objects that connect us to the past.

Further investigation and analysis of the Debnevo site promise to unveil more secrets about life in this historically rich region, offering further insights into the fascinating interplay between different eras and the enduring legacy of the Byzantine Empire.