A rare piece of medieval jewelry featuring an amethyst has been uncovered from the muddy moat of Castle Kolno in Poland, offering new insight into daily life and high-status adornment during the Middle Ages. The silver ornament, adorned with fire-gilding and a deep purple amethyst, likely belonged to a noble and may have once formed part of a brooch.
The discovery was made by a team led by Lech Marek from the University of Wrocław, who has been excavating the ruined castle site since 2010. Marek described the object as exceptionally rare in the context of a medieval settlement in an email to Live Science.
Unusual discovery outside typical burial or treasure sites
Unlike most medieval jewelry, which is typically found in tombs or treasure hoards, this piece appears to have been lost during an ordinary moment, possibly by someone traveling near the castle.
Marek and fellow archaeologist Beata Miazga noted in their study, published July 11 in the journal Antiquity, that the jewel likely slipped from its owner during routine travel to or from the site.
Castle Kolno’s history is rooted in nobility and trade
Castle Kolno, located in southwestern Poland, was built in the early 13th century as both a fortress and a residence for the duke. It also served as a customs post monitoring the timber trade.
Originally owned by Duke Bolesław III of Brzeg, the property was eventually sold to a group of wealthy knights. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1443 during the civil wars in Silesia and remained in ruins for centuries.
Excavations at the site have revealed a range of artifacts, including military gear, cavalry items, and ceramics dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. But the amethyst jewel stands out not only for its craftsmanship, but also for the circumstances of its loss.
Scientific testing confirms the gem and metal composition
Using Raman spectroscopy, a laser-based technique that identifies materials by analyzing light emissions, researchers confirmed the gemstone was an amethyst. X-ray fluorescence testing revealed the metal setting was silver and coated in fire-gilding, a process that utilized mercury to apply gold leaf.
Amethysts carried both beauty and meaning
Amethysts were widely valued in the medieval period for both their beauty and symbolic meaning. The name itself comes from the ancient Greek word amethystos (Greek: ἀμέθυστος), meaning “not intoxicated,” reflecting the long-held belief that the stone could guard against drunkenness.
These ideas endured through the centuries. By the Middle Ages, amethysts were thought to offer protection from poison, nightmares, betrayal, and other dangers. The stone also came to symbolize spiritual virtues such as faith, modesty, and martyrdom.
“In the sophisticated medieval play of symbols, the choice of gems for jewelry always had a deeper reason,” Marek said. He added that gems believed to carry supernatural powers were often considered more valuable.
Jewel likely belonged to a high-status traveler
Although the owner’s identity remains unknown, the high level of craftsmanship and material suggest they were a noble.
Similar designs have been documented in aristocratic jewelry of the time. What makes this jewel unique, researchers say, is not just its quality, but that it was likely lost in an everyday mishap rather than during a moment of ceremony or conflict.
