萨克森最古老的硬币：莱比锡附近出土的具有 2,200 年历史的凯尔特宝藏

莱比锡附近的惊人发现：萨克森最古老的硬币，一枚有 2,200 年历史的凯尔特金币。这个“彩虹杯”揭示了古代贸易和文化交流。

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.

想象一下，偶然发现一段如此古老的历史，它低声讲述着凯尔特酋长和失落已久的贸易路线的故事。这正是萨克森州莱比锡附近发生的事情，一名金属探测器在那里发现了一枚有 2,200 年历史的凯尔特金币。这个小小的宝藏现在被认为是萨克森州发现的最古老的硬币，它正在改写我们对该地区古代历史的理解。

A 'Rainbow Cup' from the Past

过去的“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?

这不仅仅是任何古钱币；它是一种古钱币。这是一款凯尔特金质四分之一杯，被亲切地称为“彩虹杯”（德语为 Regenbogenschüsselchen）。这些硬币的奇特名字源自民间传说。农民偶尔会在暴雨后发现它们，相信它们是来自彩虹尽头的礼物。那有多酷？

What Makes This Coin Special?

这枚硬币有何特别之处？

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.

这枚硬币的历史可以追溯到公元前 3 世纪，它是了解凯尔特人和日耳曼人互动世界的一扇窗户。它非常小，仅重约两克，只有一便士的一半大小，但却充满了象征意义。一侧有一个程式化的动物头，可能是一只雄鹿，而另一侧则显示了一个圆环（颈环）以及一颗星星和一个球体。花环是凯尔特文化中权力和贵族的象征，表明这种硬币不仅仅是货币；它也是一种货币。这是一种身份的象征。

Rewriting Saxony's Coinage History

改写萨克森的造币历史

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.

在此发现之前，萨克森州已知最古老的硬币可以追溯到公元前一世纪。这个“彩虹杯”将时间线向后推了整整两个世纪！萨克森州考古办公室 (LfA) 的国家考古学家 Regina Smolnik 博士正确地称其为“重大发现”，提供了当地人与凯尔特人之间接触的明确证据，尽管萨克森位于凯尔特人主要地区之外。

More Than Just Money

不仅仅是金钱

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.

这枚硬币的原始状态表明它从未作为日常货币流通。相反，它很可能成为从事长途贸易的人的地位象征或财富储存手段。将其视为凯尔特人强力球员的珠宝。

Citizen Scientists: A Big Win

公民科学家：巨大的胜利

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.

这一发现凸显了考古学家和公众之间合作的重要性。萨克森州文化和旅游国务部长芭芭拉·克莱普什（Barbara Klepsch）赞扬了金属探测器负责任的行为，并强调这些伙伴关系对于保护我们的文化遗产有多么重要。

A Glimpse into the Past

回顾过去

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!

这枚小金币不仅是一件漂亮的工艺品，而且是一件漂亮的工艺品。这是与过去的有形联系。它讲述了贸易、文化交流和黄金的持久魅力的故事。它还说明，即使在人迹罕至的地区，铸币的历史仍然有惊喜等待发掘。谁知道我们脚下还有哪些其他宝藏呢？也许是时候购买金属探测器了！