The E-Sylum:  Volume 11, Number 1, January 6, 2008, Article 23

FACETED GOLD BAR MONEY FOUND AMONG REMAINS OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATION

[Nick Graver forwarded this article about an interesting
archeological find at the bottom of a Russian lake.  Among
the artifacts discovered were what the article called "a
faceted gold bar, which was a monetary unit of the time" and
"gold wire rings used as small change".  Is anyone familiar
with such numismatic items?  -Editor]

"An international archeological expedition to Lake Issyk Kul,
high in the Kyrgyz mountains, proves the existence of an
advanced civilization 25 centuries ago, equal in development
to the Hellenic civilizations of the northern coast of the
Pontus Euxinus (Black Sea) and the Mediterranean coast of
Egypt.

"The expedition resulted in sensational finds, including
the discovery of major settlements, presently buried
underwater. The data and artefacts obtained, which are
currently under study, apply the finishing touches to the
many years of exploration in the lake, made by seven
previous expeditions. The addition of a previously unknown
culture to the treasury of history extends the idea of the
patterns and regularities of human development.

"Last year, we worked near the north coast at depths of
5-10 metres to discover formidable walls, some stretching
for 500 meters-traces of a large city with an area of several
square kilometers. In other words, it was a metropolis in
its time. We also found Scythian burial mounds, eroded by
waves over the centuries, and numerous well preserved
artifacts-bronze battleaxes, arrowheads, self-sharpening
daggers, objects discarded by smiths, casting molds, and
a faceted gold bar, which was a monetary unit of the time.

"Some artifacts are stunning. A 2,500 year-old ritual bronze
cauldron was found on the bottom of the lake. The subtlety
of its craftsmanship is amazing. Such excellent quality of
joining details together can be presently obtained by
metalwork in an inert gas. How did ancient people achieve
their high-tech perfection? Also of superb workmanship are
bronze mirrors, festive horse harnesses and many other
objects. Articles identified as the world's oldest extant
coins were also found underwater-gold wire rings used as
small change and a large hexahedral goldpiece."

To read the complete article, see:
Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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