2,000-Year-Old Celtic Elite Tomb in Germany Contains Gold Ring and Ancient Car

A tomb of a Celtic elite over 2,000 years old was discovered in Germany. Inside it there are gold rings, ancient jugs from Italy, remnants of weapons, to the traces of a two-wheeled carriage.

Citing an Anadolu Agency report, Sabru, June 13, the tomb was found near Bad Camberg, Hesse state, during a survey for a solar energy park project. Experts call this finding important for European history.

State archaeologist Udo Recker said this was the first time a Celtic noble's tomb had been found in construction work related to a solar park.

Celtic is an ancient community group that once spread across various regions of Europe. The tomb in Bad Camberg is estimated to date back to the middle of the first millennium before Christ and is associated with the Hunsrück-Eifel culture.

Inside the tomb, archaeologists found several gold rings, a beaked jar from the Etruscan civilization believed to have come from the area that is now Tuscany, Italy, as well as remnants of weapons.

Etruscan is an ancient civilization in Italy before Rome developed greatly. The discovery of the jug shows the existence of long-distance relationships or exchanges during that time.

The archaeological team also found traces of a two-wheeled cart, including metal components at the wheel center, shaft covers, and iron tire fittings.

Based on the findings, Recker said the person buried was most likely a man. This discovery also strengthens the long-standing suspicion about the existence of a local Celtic elite in the area.

Experts call this site one of the few Celtic chariot tombs ever found. In Hesse, only about three similar tombs are known. However, the quality of the findings from Bad Camberg is said to be unmatched by these tombs.

The tomb will be further investigated with modern technology. Imaging methods, including X-rays and CT scans, show that there are still other objects buried in the tomb and have not been removed.

Archaeologists hope that further research will provide a clearer picture of the life of Iron Age societies in Europe more than two millennia ago.

Archaeologist Kai Muckenberger said the find was very rare.

"You might only find a discovery like this once in your career as an archaeologist," he said.