Latest news with #MiroslavNovák
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Mysterious gold stash found in Czech mountains leaves researchers perplexed
A mysterious box filled with gold coins and other valuable items has been found by hikers in the Krkonoše Mountains in the Czech Republic, CNN reported on Sunday. The total value of the discovery is estimated to be at least $360,000, but experts are unsure where it came from. The box was spotted by two hikers while they were walking on a trail. It was partly sticking out of a stone wall. Inside, they found 598 gold coins, gold bracelets, cigar cases, a powder compact and other metal items. The hikers brought the box to the Museum of Eastern Bohemia in Hradec Králové. The museum's experts are now studying the contents. Miroslav Novák, head of the archaeology department, told CNN that the coins were not from the local area. This has led to questions about who owned the items and why they were hidden. 'The items are valuable, but we do not yet know who put them there or why,' Novák said. 'The newest coin in the collection is from 1921. That makes it more difficult to connect the stash to a specific event.' One possible explanation, according to Novák, is that the stash could be linked to the movements of people during the early 20th century. He said it may be connected to the departure of Czech or Jewish families before World War II or the mass movement of German people after 1945. However, without further evidence, this remains only a theory. 'The public is also very curious,' Novák told CNN. 'People in the community have been sharing their own ideas about where it may have come from.' Some of the items were stored in old cigar boxes, some of which are still closed. Museum staff are being careful while handling them to avoid any damage. They are also testing the exact materials of the objects. 'It's important to take time to study the find carefully,' said Novák. 'We want to understand not just the value, but also the story behind it.' The discovery has attracted attention from across the country. Museum officials said they plan to display the objects in the future once their study is complete. Until then, the items will stay in a secure location. This kind of find is rare, and it has raised interest among both researchers and the public. For now, the gold and coins remain a mystery. As Novák said, 'This is a puzzle from the past. We hope the items will help us understand more about the people who lived here a century ago.'
News18
21-05-2025
- News18
Tourists Find Hidden Treasure With 598 Gold Coins, Jewels In Forest; Here's What They Did Next
Last Updated: Two tourists in the Czech Republic's Krkonoše Mountains discovered a hidden treasure of gold coins and artefacts, now under investigation by archaeologists What began as a peaceful stroll through the forest turned into a cinematic moment for two tourists when they uncovered a hidden treasure nestled among the stones. Their extraordinary find in the Krkonoše Mountains, located in the north of the Czech Republic, has since captured the attention of archaeologists and historians alike. A Walk In The Forest Turns Unforgettable The two travellers, who have chosen to remain anonymous, were exploring the lush, wooded terrain when they noticed a shiny aluminium box partially obscured by stones. Their curiosity piqued, they opened the box, only to be confronted with an astonishing sight. According to a CNN report, the box contained a remarkable assortment of valuable items: The gold coins alone weighed 8 pounds (3.7 kg) and are estimated to be worth 80 lakh Czech Koruna (approximately Rs 3 crore). The cigar boxes remain sealed, adding to the intrigue surrounding the find. Rather than keeping the treasure, the tourists responsibly handed it over to the East Bohemia Museum in Hradec Králové. According to Miroslav Novák, head of the museum's archaeological department, the finders arrived unannounced and presented the treasure to his team, prompting an immediate investigation. Unlocking A 100-Year-Old Mystery Initial studies suggest the coins date back to at least 1921, making the hoard over a century old. Novak believes the treasure was likely concealed either prior to the Second World War or around 1945. Fascinatingly, none of the coins are Czech, half are from the Balkan region and the rest from France. Some even bear markings from former Yugoslavia in the 1920s and 1930s. Residents have speculated on the origins of the hoard. Some suggest it may have belonged to the wealthy Svirts-Shpork family of the Kuks Estate, while others theorise it was loot hidden by Czechoslovak soldiers during turbulent times. The true story, however, remains buried in history, at least for now. Ongoing Investigation And Ownership The museum continues to examine the items, with special attention to the sealed cigar boxes and the composition of the metals. Under Czech law, the treasure is officially the property of the local administration, but the finders are entitled to a reward based on the assessed value. As the investigation continues, this chance discovery offers a captivating glimpse into Europe's complex 20th-century history and a reminder that even today, real-life treasure hunts do exist. First Published: May 21, 2025, 13:08 IST
American Military News
09-05-2025
- American Military News
Pic: Gold treasure found by hikers in overgrown field
An 'unusually large' treasure trove of gold coins, tobacco boxes, and jewelry was recently discovered by two hikers in the Czech Republic. In a statement obtained by Fox News, the Museum of East Bohemia in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, confirmed that a 15-pound 'depot of gold coins, jewelry and tobacco boxes' was found by two hikers and delivered to the museum in February. A Museum of East Bohemia press release obtained by Fox News stated, '[T]wo finders discovered two boxes in an artificially created stone wall on the edge of a now non-existent field overgrown with forest during a tourist walk on the southwestern slope of Zvičina Hill.' A picture shared on X, formerly Twitter, shows the large collection of gold coins, bars, and rings found by the hikers in the overgrown Czech Republic field. The picture reveals that some of the gold items have been tarnished due to age. Whoa, what a find! Hikers in the Czech Republic uncovered a $340K stash of gold coins & jewelry near Zvičina Hill! Hidden since WWII, this treasure's now at the Museum of East Bohemia. Keep hunting, folks! — @_Treasure_Kings_ (@_Treasure_Kings) April 30, 2025 According to Fox News, the Museum of East Bohemia confirmed that 598 coins were found in a container that was 'divided into 11 columns and wrapped in black fabric.' The museum said, 'In a metal box found about a meter away, objects made of yellow metal were stored — 16 tobacco boxes, 10 bracelets, a bag made of fine wire mesh, a comb, a chain with a key, and a powder box.' Fox News reported that Miroslav Novák, an archaeologist at the Museum of East Bohemia, described the hikers' discovery as a 'unique find.' 'Storing valuable objects in the ground as treasures, known as depots, has been common practice since prehistoric times,' Novák said. 'Initially, religious motives were more common, but later it was property stored during uncertain times with the intention of retrieving it later. This find is notable for the unusually large weight of precious metal.' READ MORE: Pics: Surprising WWII shipwreck finds revealed Fox News reported that the Czech Republic gold discovery is an unusual find since the earliest coins in the treasure trove are only from 1808. Vojtěch Brádle, a coin specialist with the Museum of East Bohemia, noted that the treasure was buried for 'just over 100 years.' 'Based on the dates stamped on them, the coins range from 1808 to 1915,' Brádle said. 'However, the year 1915 is not decisive for determining when the depot was placed there.' Brádle explained that marks stamped on the coins indicate that the gold coins must have been buried after World War I. 'These marks were stamped on coins in the territory of former Yugoslavia during the 1920s and 1930s,' Brádle said. 'Within the context of domestic finds, this collection is very specific, as most of it consists of coins of French origin, and besides Austrian-Hungarian coins, it also includes Belgian and Ottoman coins.'
Fox News
08-05-2025
- Fox News
Hikers uncover mysterious gold-filled treasure trove in overgrown field: 'Unusually large'
A cache of gold items and other pieces of treasure came to light recently – and officials are still perplexed by the trove's origin. In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, the Museum of East Bohemia in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, said that a "depot of gold coins, jewelry and tobacco boxes" had been found. Weighing a hefty 15 pounds, the cache was found by two hikers who handed the treasure over to the museum in February. "[T]wo finders discovered two boxes in an artificially created stone wall on the edge of a now non-existent field overgrown with forest during a tourist walk on the southwestern slope of Zvičina Hill," the museum said in a press release translated from Czech to English. Pictures show the stunning finds consisting of various gold rings, bars and coins, though the gold had varnished with age. In total, 598 coins were found. The container holding the gold items was "divided into 11 columns and wrapped in black fabric," according to the museum. "In a metal box found about a meter away, objects made of yellow metal were stored — 16 tobacco boxes, 10 bracelets, a bag made of fine wire mesh, a comb, a chain with a key, and a powder box," the museum also said. "This find is notable for the unusually large weight of precious metal." In a statement, Museum of East Bohemia archaeologist Miroslav Novák called the discovery a "unique find." "Storing valuable objects in the ground as treasures, known as depots, has been common practice since prehistoric times," the expert said. Novák added, "Initially, religious motives were more common, but later it was property stored during uncertain times with the intention of retrieving it later. This find is notable for the unusually large weight of precious metal." What makes the discovery so unusual is how relatively young it is. The earliest coins date to 1808. Museum of East Bohemia coin specialist Vojtěch Brádle said that the treasure had been buried "for just over 100 years." "Based on the dates stamped on them, the coins range from 1808 to 1915," the numismatist said. "However, the year 1915 is not decisive for determining when the depot was placed there." He noted that the coins must have been placed after World War I, based on certain marks. "These marks were stamped on coins in the territory of former Yugoslavia during the 1920s and 1930s," Brádle noted. "Within the context of domestic finds, this collection is very specific, as most of it consists of coins of French origin, and besides Austrian-Hungarian coins, it also includes Belgian and Ottoman coins." He added, "Conversely, German and Czechoslovak coins are entirely absent." The museum concluded its announcement by noting the opportunities that the relatively recent treasure trove presents. "[It] presents much broader, albeit more complex, possibilities for studying historical archival documents," the statement read.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hikers Discover Hidden Treasure That May Be Worth More Than $300,000
The next time you go for a walk, you may be tempted to look for buried gold. A hike in the Czech Republic turned into an accidental treasure hunt for two men who stumbled upon a buried trove of riches. In February, two men were trekking through the foothills of the Krkonoše Mountains, located near the Polish border in the northern region of the Czech Republic, when they discovered a canister filled with hundreds of shiny gold coins. Nearby, an iron box was found with more treasures, including cigarette cases, bracelets, a comb, and a chain with a key. The men handed over the findings to the Museum of East Bohemia, where archaeologists are now analyzing the discoveries, according to an April 25 Facebook post. Together, the items weigh more than 15 pounds and could be worth as much as $340,000. Under Czech law, the hikers may receive up to 10 percent of the treasure's value as a reward, TVP World reports. Related: 14 Valuable Collectibles to Look for in Thrift Stores The can contained 598 coins neatly arranged into 11 columns and wrapped in black cloth, weighing more than 8 pounds. The coins were stamped with dates ranging from 1808 to 1915. Some coins also bear countermarks, indicating that they were reissued in 1921 in an area of Yugoslavia most likely encompassing modern-day Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to Artnet. The coins originated from various countries such as France, Turkey, Belgium, Romania, Italy, and Russia. The reason the treasure was buried is unknown. Miroslav Novák, head of the archaeological department of the Museum of Eastern Bohemia, told Czech Radio that it's possible the treasure belonged to one of the thousands of Czech or Jewish people who fled during World War II to escape persecution. He notes that it could also be linked to "monetary reform," referring to the monetary reform forced upon Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union in 1953. While it remains unclear who hid the stash and why it was never retrieved, experts believe it was hidden because the coins are gold. "It was clearly not about the nominal value of the coins. It's not about what the coins could buy—that's not what mattered. It was deliberately hidden because it was precious metal," the Museum of Eastern Bohemia's coin expert, Vojtěch Brádle, told Czech Radio. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
