Back in 1964, a young Norwegian boy, Jan Gunnar Fuglesnes, and his brother were simply having fun, exploring beneath the floorboards of a church. What started as an innocent childhood adventure led to a discovery that would take nearly six decades to reveal its true significance.
Childhood Games, Historic Finds
It was a different time when Jan and his brother, crawling through the spaces dug by Nazi soldiers during World War II to store ammunition, stumbled upon what they thought were just cool trinkets to enhance their playtime. Among these were 14 silver coins, an amber bead, and nine needles, all found in a setting that couldn’t be further from a typical playground.
Little did they know, their ‘playthings’ were genuine artifacts. The coins, safely tucked away in a small yellow Kodak slide box, were forgotten as the brothers grew up, only to be rediscovered by Jan in November 2023, nearly 60 years later. This prompted him to report the find to the local authorities in Møre og Romsdal County.
A Treasure Dating Back to the Middle Ages
The coins weren’t just old; they were ancient. Preliminary analysis by archaeologists suggested these pieces dated back to the Middle Ages. “We were just kids doing a treasure hunt under the church, not realizing how rare these coins were,” Jan shared. This sentiment echoed a childlike wonder akin to a poignant scene from the film Amélie, where childhood treasures hold emotional value, only in Jan’s case, these items held substantial archaeological value as well.
Carl-Fredrik Wahr-Hansen Vemmestad, the county archaeologist, identified that some coins might date back to around 1280 during the reign of King Marcus VI of Norway. Others could be a bit more recent, from the time of King Christian I, who ruled from 1450 to 1481. “Such finds are extremely rare, as there are literally only a handful of these coins that have survived to this day in central Norway,” explained Vemmestad.
More Than Just Coins
The seemingly mundane items found alongside the coins also turned out to be historically significant. The needles were dated to the 13th century, likely part of a garment belonging to a deceased individual, while the amber bead might have come from a prayer crown used by priests and deacons.
Following the guidelines of Norway’s archaeological preservation policy, which states that all artifacts found that were made before 1605 are considered state property unless owned privately before 1905, Jan handed over his childhood treasures to the local authorities. These artifacts are now slated for preservation and may even be displayed to the public.
In a twist fit for the movies, what Jan and his brother saw as simple elements of childhood games turned out to be treasures of a nation, preserving a slice of history beneath the floorboards of a quiet church. This story not only highlights the unexpected corners where history can lurk but also reminds us of the pure joy of discovery, a feeling that doesn’t fade, even after 60 years.
