4,500-Year-Old Golden Brooch and Rare Jade Stone Unearthed at Ancient City of Troy
Canakkale, The Gulf Observer: Archaeologists excavating the legendary ancient city of Troy in northwestern Türkiye have uncovered a 4,500-year-old golden brooch and a rare jade stone, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced on Saturday.
Speaking on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Minister Ersoy described the brooch, dating back to the Early Bronze Age, as “one of the most important finds of the past century.” He added that it is one of only three known examples worldwide and the best preserved.
The artifacts were excavated from the Troy II settlement layers, which date to approximately 2,500 BC. The ministry noted that the discovery also contributes to resolving longstanding debates regarding the origins of the Troy II period.
Minister Ersoy highlighted that the jade stone was considered a luxury item 4,500 years ago. Both artifacts, together with a bronze pin uncovered in the same layer, are set to be exhibited at the Troy Museum in Canakkale.
For over 160 years, archaeologists have studied the ancient city of Troy, famously immortalized in Homer’s epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, Troy remains one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites, providing insight into early Anatolian urbanization and trade networks.
The Culture and Tourism Ministry emphasized that these discoveries will “shed light on history in the very land where it was lived,” reflecting its principle of displaying artifacts at their site of origin.
