Unearthing Humanity’s Oldest Gold in Varna Necropolis
The world’s oldest human gold treasure was unearthed at Varna Necropolis, located on the shores of the Black Sea in Bulgaria. Varna Necropolis, also known simply as Varna Cemetery, stands as a massive burial site within the western industrial district of Varna and is internationally recognized as one of the most significant archaeological sites in the prehistoric world.
The “oldest human gold” discovered in the Varna Cemetery was buried approximately 6,500 years ago. This remarkable find is linked to the Varna Culture, a Copper Age civilization that thrived around 6,000-6,500 years ago.
To date, a total of 294 graves have been discovered in Varna Cemetery, containing around 3,000 gold artifacts, as reported by Bulgarian archaeologists. Among these extraordinary burial sites, one stands out in particular – Grave 43. Here, archaeologists uncovered the skeleton of a high-status individual, believed to be a ruler or leader of some significance.
Varna Necropolis, Grave 43, contained objects crafted from gold, copper, flint, obsidian, red and orange carnelian (a type of mineral), and ceramics. This discovery was a stroke of luck, as the Varna Gold Treasure was accidentally found in 1972 during the construction of a factory at the site. A young excavator operator named Raycho Marinov, then just 22 years old, stumbled upon several artifacts, which he collected in a shoebox and took home. Several days later, he decided to contact local archaeologists and inform them of the remarkable discovery.
The unveiling of this ancient gold treasure in Varna Necropolis has provided valuable insights into the culture, society, and leadership of an ancient civilization that flourished thousands of years ago. It is a testament to the enduring fascination of archaeological discoveries that continue to captivate the world’s imagination.
