The Varna Necropolis – The World’s Oldest Gold Treasure

The Varna Necropolis, located near the modern city of Varna in Bulgaria, is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in Europe.

Dating back to 4,600–4,200 BC, it is home to the oldest known gold treasure in the world. Unearthed in the 1970s, this Chalcolithic (Copper Age) burial site contained over 3,000 gold artifacts, including jewelry, ritual objects, and intricately crafted ornaments.

These finds provide valuable insight into the wealth, social structure, and spiritual beliefs of one of Europe’s earliest complex societies.