18 July 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Hundreds of silver coins have been found near the castle of Lukov in Moravia

In the forest near the Southern Moravian Fortress Lukov, two members of the Society of Friends of the Lukov Fortress discovered an early 14th-century treasure.

The Society of Friends of Lukov Castle is interested in the operation and gradual monumental restoration of the castle.  The members of the association managed to accidentally discover the treasure during a mushroom walk in the forests around Lukov.

The Society of Friends of Lukov castle Chairman Jiří Holík said to Ceskenoviny it all happened quite by chance, “It was found by two of our members who were picking mushrooms. They were just passing through an oak forest when they saw something shiny that looked like metal. It turned out to be the coins. It seems that the area had been recently dug up by wild boars who were probably feeding on fallen acorns. They gave me a call and I headed over there.”

Jiří Holík contacted archaeologists to tell them of the extraordinary discovery. A team of professionals was then dispatched to inspect the location.

Mr. Holik said in his speech, “We found exactly 392 Prague groschen from around the year 1400. However, there were also 27 Hellers there minted by the Margrave Jobst of Moravia.  This was a more significant find because those coins were only minted during a relatively short time span of 20 years around the year 1400,” he said.

Last year, archaeologists discovered a treasure trove of 13th-century silver coins from the time of King Přemysl Otakar II in a field near Sepekov in Písek.
Last year, archaeologists discovered a treasure trove of 13th-century silver coins from the time of King Přemysl Otakar II in a field near Sepekov in Písek. Photo: CTK – Vaclav Pancer

The coins are presently being cleaned and analyzed by experts at the Museum of Southeast Moravia in Zlin. The coins are now being restored and analyzed but they will be on display at the annual Lukov Castle Day on September 19th.

In the 13th century, Lukov was part of a network of castles that formed the protection of the Czech Kingdom’s eastern border. During the Thirty Years’ War, it was the headquarters of the Wallachians who fought for personal and religious freedom. It fell into disrepair after being burned and destroyed by Swedish troops and was abandoned at the end of the 18th century.

Cover Photo: Lukov Castle © Zdeněk Thoma, archiv CzechTourism

Related Articles

Traces of the Battle of Thymbra: Two Lydian Soldier Skeletons and A Helmet Found in the Ancient City of Sardis

13 August 2024

13 August 2024

During the archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Sardes, the capital of the Lydian Kingdom in western Türkiye, traces...

“Urartian Royal garbage dump” was found during excavations at Ayanis Castle

3 September 2022

3 September 2022

During the excavations carried out in the Ayanis Castle, which was built by the Urartian King Rusa II on the...

A rural necropolis from Late Antiquity discovered in northeastern France

5 November 2022

5 November 2022

Inrap archaeologists have unearthed a small rural necropolis from the late 5th century (Late Antiquity) at Sainte-Marie-aux-Chênes in northeastern France....

Archaeologists unearthed fresh evidence that bedbugs came to Britain with the Romans

3 February 2024

3 February 2024

Archaeologists working the Roman garrison site of Vindolanda in Northumberland, south of Hadrian’s Wall, have discovered new proof that the...

Ancient Elegance Revealed: Exquisite Jewelry and Amulets from the 26th Dynasty Discovered at Karnak

4 March 2025

4 March 2025

In a remarkable revelation that sheds light on ancient Egyptian craftsmanship, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, alongside the...

Love and hate in ancient times: Exploring Magical Texts

6 February 2024

6 February 2024

Love and hate are universal emotions that have persisted throughout human history. Ancient civilizations developed their own distinct methods of...

Knights-era painting found behind bricked-up arch at Museum of Archaeology in Malta

30 November 2021

30 November 2021

A newly found Knights-era painting hidden behind a bricked-up arch at the Museum of Archaeology might give insight into the...

‘Nano lime’ protects Nemrut: Throne of the Gods

24 October 2023

24 October 2023

Last year, “nano lime” was filled with syringes to protect the tiny cracks on the large stone statues on Mount...

Researchers extract ancient DNA from a 2,900-year-old clay brick

6 September 2023

6 September 2023

Researchers have successfully extracted ancient DNA from a 2,900-year-old clay brick, uncovering a wealth of information about the plant life...

Rare Prehistoric Animal Carvings Discovered For The First Time In Scotland

31 May 2021

31 May 2021

Animal carvings thousands of years old have been found for the first time in Scotland. The carvings, estimated to be...

Derinkuyu: A Subterranean Marvel of Ancient Engineering with 18 Levels and Capacity for 20,000 Inhabitants

2 May 2025

2 May 2025

Beneath the sun-drenched plains of Cappadocia, where otherworldly “fairy chimney” rock formations pierce the sky, lies a secret world carved...

6th-Century BC Houses and Earthquake Evidence Discovered in Davti Blur, an Urartian Fortress City in Armenia

28 January 2025

28 January 2025

An Armenian-Polish archaeological team has uncovered remnants of 6th-century BC houses, a cremation cemetery, and signs of a significant earthquake...

An inscription containing 15 headless falcons and unknown ancient rituals found in an ancient Egyptian temple

8 October 2022

8 October 2022

Archaeologists have discovered a shrine containing previously unknown ancient rituals during excavations at Berenike, a Greco-Roman port in Egypt’s eastern...

New research determines portable toilets of the ancient Roman world

11 February 2022

11 February 2022

New research published today reveals how archeologists can determine when a pot was used by Romans as a portable toilet,...

Maltaş Temple Revealed

10 August 2021

10 August 2021

Phrygian Valley, 10 meters high monument with Phrygian scriptures inscriptions on it discovered. The unearthed Maltaş monument is actually the...