Highway construction uncovers large archaeological find

Highway construction uncovers large archaeological find

Construction of the D4 / R7 highway bypass around Bratislava has resulted in more than 460 graves being uncovered in the area of Podunajské Biskupice, with the site being dated from the 8th century, during the Avar Khaganate period. Other valuable items, such as coins from the years 771-793, have also been found in what has become the most significant archaeological discovery in recent times.

"The size and value of this Avaric site from the 8th century is the largest archaeological discovery in Slovakia dating from the Avar Khaganate period, which has taken place in the last 40 years," said head of archaeological research at the site, Milan Horňák.

The rarest finds during the five months of the archaeological survey include a coin from the time of the reign of King Charles the Great. "The coin found is from 771-793 and is a European rarity," said Horňák, adding that until this discovery, only 14 such preserved coins were known worldwide.

A number of silver-plated bronze objects, such as decorated belt buckles, have been discovered in the excavated graves, with almost every single grave having a decorated vessel as a gift for the afterlife. Once the archaeological works are completed, the artefacts will be given to the Slovak National Museum, with an exhibit being made available to the public at a later stage.

The D4 / R7 Bratislava bypass will create new, interconnected highways and express roads through and around the southern and eastern boroughs of Bratislava and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2020.

Gavin Shoebridge, Photo: TASR

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