By Ossoliński National Institute
Dr. Barbara Butent-Stefaniak
Otto and Adelaide denarius, Hartz IV type Otto and Adelaide denarius, Hartz IV type (995-1000) by Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor (983–1002)Ossoliński National Institute
Discovery of an early medieval treasure
The hoard was found by chance during construction work carried out in 1986 near Małkowice village near Wrocław. Workers came across a clay pot filled with silver objects. In spring 2006, the treasure found its way to the Ossolineum collection.
Coins from the clay pot. Among the 15 coins kept in the Ossolineum, there is only one intact specimen and 14 coin fragments of different sizes, mostly German denarii. A half-penny of the English King Æthelred II (978-1016) and a small fraction of an Arab dirham are also included.
Reconstructed coin
From several Saxon denarii deposited in the Małkowice hoard, archaeologists were able to partially reconstruct (glue together from several small fragments) a small but interesting and rare coin of half a denarius value, that is an obol.
Fragment of approximately half of a cross denarius of CNP I typeOssoliński National Institute
Saxon cross denarii
Most of the specimens gathered in the hoard are Saxon coins. Among them are 4 fragments of the so-called cross denarii, i.e. inscriptionless coins (possibly provided with pseudo-inscriptions) bearing various depictions of the cross.
Earring with 3 cylindrical beads Earring with 3 cylindrical beads (900-1099) by UnknownOssoliński National Institute
Silver jewellery – temple ring (earring)
In early medieval treasures, silver jewellery is mostly damaged. Some beautiful ornaments stand out in the Małkowice hoard, either preserved intact or slightly damaged. Among them the best preserved is an earring decorated with 3 cylindrical beads.
Earring with mulberry-type beads Earring with mulberry-type beads (900-1099) by UnknownOssoliński National Institute
Earring with mulberry-type beads
Another earring, identified by archaeologist as the “with mulberry-type beads” type, is only slightly damaged. The classification derives from the shape of the beads, resembling mulberry fruit. About two thirds of the earring remained, with two intact beads.
Star-shaped earring Star-shaped earring (1000-1199) by UnknownOssoliński National Institute
A fragment of a silver earring
Archaeologists call this type of jewellery the “star-shaped earring”, because the complete earring resembles a four-pointed star in shape. The specimen from Małkowice is only partially preserved, in about ¼ of its entirety, namely its ring and two points of the star.
Silver bead. Of the several beads deposited in the treasure, the most beautiful is an intact, elongated, slightly oval specimen decorated with eye-catching patterns formed from tiny granules. Ornaments of this type were very popular in the early Middle Ages and are found in treasures and graves from the late 9th to the early 12th century. They formed parts of necklaces composed of a variety of beads: glass, amber, carnelian, silver and occasionally gold.
Splash ingots. Ingots and lumps of splashed silver, which are common in early medieval treasures, were obtained by melting small broken and cut fragments of silverware and coins in a casting crucible. The liquid silver was then poured not into a mould, but directly onto the ground or sand, where it slowly cooled. The silver ingots were usually oval, had various sizes and sometimes additionally had lumps on the upper surface.
Fragment of an approx. ¼ of oval splash ingot of cast silver (900-1199) by UnknownOssoliński National Institute
Cut splash ingot of raw silver
This piece of ingot was cut from a larger piece of the oval shape. It bears clear signs of having been cut several times probably with an axe, hatchet or chisel. The smaller fragments may then have been used for trade or melted down for tinsel or ornaments.
