4,500-Year-Old Gold Brooch, Rare Jade Unearthed in Troy Turkey

Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Troy in northwestern Turkey have uncovered a 4,500-year-old gold brooch and a rare jade stone, dating back to the Early Bronze Age around 2500 BC. The gold brooch, one of only three known examples worldwide and the best preserved, was found in the Troy II settlement layer, helping to push back Troy's timeline and settle longstanding debates about the city's chronology. The jade stone, likely used as a ring or pendant, is considered a luxury item symbolizing social status and wealth, and suggests early long-distance trade networks. These discoveries are part of Turkey's "Heritage for the Future" project and will be displayed at the Troy Museum near the excavation site to maintain a direct connection between the artifacts and their origin. Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage site, continues to provide valuable insights into Early Bronze Age civilization through careful stratigraphic excavation methods. The finds underscore Troy's historical significance beyond legend, highlighting its prosperity and importance during that era.