Construction sites can sometimes act as portals to the past, uncovering archaeological treasures of immeasurable value. One remarkable example is Thessaloniki’s new metro line, which led to the rediscovery and preservation of a rich historical and archaeological heritage for the community. But there are many more examples of extraordinary finds. Here are 7 archeological treasures discovered in construction sites.
A Viking-Era Ship
In 1903, Norwegian farmer Oskar Rom discovered a Viking-era ship while digging in an ancient burial mound on his property. Alongside the ship, archaeologists found the skeletal remains of two women, several animals, and various artifacts, including bedposts and a carriage. Today, the restored ship is displayed at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo.
The York Helmet
In 1982, while constructing a shopping center in York, England, workers unearthed the York Helmet, an Anglo-Saxon relic from the 8th century. One of only three complete helmets from this period found in England, it showcases a remarkable blend of Anglo-Saxon and Irish craftsmanship. The helmet is now displayed at the Yorkshire Museum.
The remains of King Richard III
King Richard III, who died at the age of 32 in the 1485 Battle of Bosworth against the Tudors, was finally laid to rest over 500 years after his death. In 2012, his remains were uncovered beneath a parking lot in Leicester. In 2015, he was reburied with a formal ceremony at Leicester Cathedral.
A hidden masterpiece
In January 2019, workers renovating a Paris office into a luxury boutique uncovered a 17th-century oil painting hidden behind a wall. The artwork, dated 1674 and attributed to the renowned artist Arnould de Vuez, is believed to date back to the reign of Louis XIV. It depicts the Marquis de Nointel, the king’s ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, riding towards Jerusalem. Experts suggest the painting may have been concealed to protect it from Nazi looters during World War II.
The Bones of a Triceratops
In 2019, during construction work at a site in Highlands Ranch, south of Denver, workers made an extraordinary discovery: the partial skeleton of an adult Triceratops. The fossils, dating back 68 million years, were analyzed and identified by paleontologists from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
17th-Century Silver Coins
In June 2020, during road renovation work in Poland, an exceptional treasure of 507 silver coins dating back to the 17th century was discovered. The collection includes coins from across Europe, featuring depictions of Charles X Gustav of Sweden and Frederick William I of Prussia.
A 12th-Century Islamic Bathhouse
In July 2022, renovations in a tapas bar in Seville, Spain, uncovered the site of a 12th-century Islamic bathhouse. Star-shaped skylights, resembling those found in the Arab Baths of Ronda, helped archaeologists confirm its origins as a preserved structure from the Almohad Caliphate era.
