Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Troy (Greek: Τροία or Ἴλιον) have uncovered a remarkably preserved gold ring brooch and an imported jade stone, both dating to around 2500 BCE. The discovery of this artifact is reshaping how scholars recognize Troy’s role during the Early Bronze Age and its connection to Greek history and myth. More importantly, it resets Troy’s timeline, pushing it back by several centuries.
The artifacts were unearthed during excavation work near the 6M Palace. The team also recovered a bronze pin and several bone tools from the same layer. Together, these finds firmly place the context in the Troy II phase, a critical period in the city’s early development.
Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, said, “These unique artifacts will be exhibited at the Troy Museum very soon.” The museum is located in Çanakkale, the closest city to the Troy site.
Turkey unearths a 4500-year-old golden brooch in ancient city Troy in Çanakkale pic.twitter.com/lMtlCEVeWo
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) September 27, 2025
Rare brooch raises global interest
Scholars have drawn attention to the rarity of the gold brooch. Only two similar pieces are known worldwide, but neither matches the quality and preservation of the Troy find. Experts say its condition makes it one of the most significant discoveries in recent decades.
Professor Reyhan Körpe of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University noted that the brooch bears a striking resemblance to items from Heinrich Schliemann’s celebrated “Treasure of Troy“. He described it as “the most important finding in Troy after Schliemann.”
Schliemann’s excavations, inspired by Homer’s Greek epics, first brought Troy into modern archaeological debate, linking the legendary city of the Iliad to a real settlement.
Resetting Troy’s timeline
The discovery has also resolved a long-running scholarly debate over the beginning of the Troy II phase. Researchers now date its start to around 2500 BCE, moving earlier estimates back by several centuries. This adjustment changes the timeline of Troy’s development, placing the city’s growth earlier in the Bronze Age than previously believed.
Körpe emphasized the importance of the jade stone, which likely came from thousands of miles to the east. Its presence in Troy demonstrates that the city was already part of long-distance trade networks. “This shows that Troy was an important trade center in the world during the Bronze Age,” Körpe explained.
Scholars note that such connections would have linked Troy not only to Asia but also to the wider Aegean world.
Heading to a public display
The brooch, jade stone, and bronze pin will be prepared for public exhibition at the Troy Museum. The museum, located in Çanakkale, already houses many of the site’s most celebrated finds, and the new display is expected to draw international attention.
For Greece, Troy has always been more than a city. In myth, it was the stage of the Trojan War, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad. For archaeologists, discoveries like this brooch provide rare evidence that grounds legend in history.
For researchers, the discoveries provide concrete evidence of Troy’s early role in global trade and craftsmanship. For visitors, they offer a rare chance to witness artifacts that not only embody ancient artistry but also reshape the story of one of history’s most legendary cities.
