A significant archaeological discovery on Somló Hill in western Hungary is reshaping our understanding of Bronze and Iron Age societies. Archaeologists, led by Bence Soós from the Hungarian National Museum, have unearthed six extraordinary hoards containing over 900 metal artifacts dating back over 3,000 years. The finds, detailed in a recent paper in the journal Antiquity, include jewelry, weapons, tools, and decorative items, offering insights into the social and ritual practices of communities between 1450 BC and 450 BC.
Key Discoveries and Significance
The excavation, conducted between 2023 and 2025, utilized advanced techniques like metal detecting and LiDAR scanning to map the site. The concentration of artifacts on the southeastern plateau of Somló Hill suggests a densely populated area and a potential power center for tribal societies led by warrior elites.
Notably, five of the six hoards originate from the Late Bronze Age, while one dates to the Early Iron Age. Hoard V contained metal objects stored inside a ceramic vessel, the first such find in the region, providing key evidence of local metal deposition customs. The presence of bronze lumps and casting molds indicates that Somló Hill was likely a center for metalworking.
The finds challenge previous assumptions about settlement patterns during this transitional period and highlight the ritual and symbolic behaviors of the time. Ongoing analyses, including radiocarbon dating, are expected to further refine the timeline of the site's occupation and its role in the broader settlement network of the Late Bronze Age.