薩克森最古老的硬幣：萊比錫附近出土的具有 2,200 年曆史的凱爾特寶藏

萊比錫附近的驚人發現：薩克森最古老的硬幣，一枚有 2,200 年曆史的凱爾特金幣。這個“彩虹杯”揭示了古代貿易和文化交流。

Imagine stumbling upon a piece of history so old, it whispers tales of Celtic chiefs and long-lost trade routes. That's exactly what happened near Leipzig, Saxony, where a metal detectorist unearthed a 2,200-year-old Celtic gold coin. This tiny treasure, now recognized as the oldest coin ever found in Saxony, is rewriting our understanding of the region's ancient past.

想像一下，偶然發現一段如此古老的歷史，它低聲講述著凱爾特酋長和失落已久的貿易路線的故事。這正是薩克森州萊比錫附近發生的事情，一名金屬探測器在那裡發現了一枚有 2,200 年曆史的凱爾特金幣。這個小小的寶藏現在被認為是薩克森州發現的最古老的硬幣，它正在改寫我們對該地區古代歷史的理解。

A 'Rainbow Cup' from the Past

過去的“彩虹杯”

This isn't just any old coin; it's a Celtic gold quarter stater, affectionately nicknamed a "rainbow cup" (Regenbogenschüsselchen in German). These coins get their whimsical name from folklore. Farmers would occasionally find them after rainstorms, believing they were gifts from the end of a rainbow. How cool is that?

這不僅僅是任何古錢幣；它是一種古錢幣。這是一款凱爾特金質四分之一杯，被親切地稱為“彩虹杯”（德語為 Regenbogenschüsselchen）。這些硬幣的奇特名字源自民間傳說。農民偶爾會在暴雨後發現它們，相信它們是來自彩虹盡頭的禮物。那有多酷？

What Makes This Coin Special?

這枚硬幣有何特別之處？

Dating back to the 3rd century BCE, this coin is a window into a world of Celtic and Germanic interactions. It's incredibly small, weighing only about two grams and half the size of a penny, yet packed with symbolism. One side features a stylized animal head, possibly a stag, while the other shows a torc (a neck ring) alongside a star and a sphere. The torc, a symbol of power and nobility in Celtic culture, suggests this coin was more than just currency; it was a status symbol.

這枚硬幣的歷史可以追溯到公元前 3 世紀，它是了解凱爾特人和日耳曼人互動世界的一扇窗戶。它非常小，僅重約兩克，只有一便士的一半大小，但卻充滿了象徵意義。一側有一個程式化的動物頭，可能是一隻雄鹿，而另一側則顯示了一個圓環（頸環）以及一顆星星和一個球體。花環是凱爾特文化中權力和貴族的象徵，表明這種硬幣不僅僅是貨幣；它也是一種貨幣。這是一種身份的象徵。

Rewriting Saxony's Coinage History

改寫薩克森的造幣歷史

Before this discovery, the oldest known coin in Saxony dated to the 1st century BCE. This "rainbow cup" pushes back the timeline by a whopping two centuries! Dr. Regina Smolnik, the State Archaeologist from the Saxon State Office for Archaeology (LfA), rightly called it a "significant find," offering clear evidence of contact between locals and the Celts, even though Saxony was outside the main Celtic areas.

在此發現之前，薩克森州已知最古老的硬幣可以追溯到公元前一世紀。這個“彩虹杯”將時間線向後推了整整兩個世紀！薩克森州考古辦公室 (LfA) 的國家考古學家 Regina Smolnik 博士正確地稱其為“重大發現”，提供了當地人與凱爾特人之間接觸的明確證據，儘管薩克森位於凱爾特人主要地區之外。

More Than Just Money

不僅僅是金錢

The coin's pristine condition suggests it never circulated as everyday money. Instead, it likely served as a status symbol or a store of wealth for someone involved in long-distance trade. Think of it as a Celtic power player's bling.

這枚硬幣的原始狀態表明它從未作為日常貨幣流通。相反，它很可能成為參與長途貿易的人的地位象徵或財富儲存。將其視為凱爾特人強力球員的珠寶。

Citizen Scientists: A Big Win

公民科學家：巨大的勝利

The discovery highlights the importance of collaboration between archaeologists and the public. Barbara Klepsch, Saxony’s State Minister for Culture and Tourism, praised the metal detectorist's responsible behavior, emphasizing how vital these partnerships are for protecting our cultural heritage.

這一發現凸顯了考古學家和公眾之間合作的重要性。薩克森州文化和旅遊國務部長芭芭拉·克萊普什（Barbara Klepsch）讚揚了金屬探測器負責任的行為，並強調這些夥伴關係對於保護我們的文化遺產有多麼重要。

A Glimpse into the Past

回顧過去

This little gold coin isn't just a pretty artifact; it's a tangible link to the past. It tells a story of trade, cultural exchange, and the enduring allure of gold. It also illustrates that the history of coinage, even in well-trodden regions, still has surprises waiting to be unearthed. Who knows what other treasures are still out there, just beneath our feet? Maybe it’s time to buy a metal detector!

這枚小金幣不僅是一件漂亮的工藝品，而且是一件漂亮的工藝品。這是與過去的有形聯繫。它講述了貿易、文化交流和黃金的持久魅力的故事。它還說明，即使在人跡罕至的地區，鑄幣的歷史仍然有驚喜等待發掘。誰知道我們腳下還有哪些其他寶藏呢？也許是時候購買金屬探測器了！