Finland's largest Viking-era silver hoard discovered near Sysmä

An amateur metal detectorist, Kalle Lappinen, has discovered what experts believe to be Finland’s largest Viking-era silver hoard. The find was made near the Sysmä church village in southern Finland.

The hoard consists of thousands of silver coins, weighing approximately 4.5 kilograms (nearly 10 pounds), found within two birch bark containers buried about 18 inches underground. In addition to the coins, the discovery includes a silver bracelet, a clasp, a bead, and a silver fragment.

Archaeologists from the Lahti Museums are set to conduct conservation and analysis on the items to determine their exact age and material composition. Researchers hope the well-preserved containers will provide insights into the concealment methods and trade or wealth patterns of the Late Iron Age. This discovery significantly exceeds the previous record set in 1895 in Nousiainen, which contained approximately 1,700 coins weighing under five pounds.