Archaeologists in Sweden recently discovered more than 30,000 ancient objects, including a gold ring with a carved image of Jesus that was likely lost centuries ago.

According to The Archaeologist, two investigations focused on a medieval city built in the coastal town of Kalmar in southwest Sweden. Although the city was destroyed in a battle sometime in the 16th century, “significant portions remained available for exploration.”

Researchers have found 50 medieval properties, around ten streets and parts of an ancient city wall from the period between 1250 and 1650.

“The surveys show that almost all the farms burned down in connection with the Danes' attack on the city in the summer of 1611. This is particularly visible through fire horizons and demolished buildings. “We also found a variety of projectiles, such as cannonballs, musket balls and pistol bullets, but also swords,” said Magnus Stibéus, project manager at the archaeologist.

The more recent finds date back to around 400 years ago and all of the discoveries have given scientists insight into dietary habits and social changes in the Middle Ages.

“We were able to gain insight into the city's medieval period and had the opportunity to examine how people lived, what they ate and drank, and how this changed over time,” shared Stibéus. “Archaeology becomes a peephole into medieval history, allowing us to learn more about what life was like several hundred years ago.”

Archaeologists found, among other things, buildings and cellars as well as smaller everyday objects, including two “spectacular finds”.

One was a gold ring “in almost new condition with a Christ motif” that was found in the “garbage warehouse.”

“Someone was probably unlucky and lost the ring 500 years ago,” Stibéus explained.

The size of the ring indicates that it was most likely worn by a woman and is similar to similar rings found in other parts of Sweden and northern Finland.

The other impressive find was an Alsengem, a small glass stone that was probably a pilgrim's amulet and dated to the 13th or 14th century. There were three carved figures on this particular find.

Researchers say this artifact is named after the Danish island of Alsen, where it was first found.

Many of the finds are considered rare and provide insight into “war situations and how the Kalmar War swept across the city.”

“The remains of the buildings and the cultural depots form a historical archive that contains enormous amounts of information and stories about the political and economic ambitions, everyday life and living conditions of previous generations. We gain insight into large parts of the medieval city and encounter them. “Traces of the social and economic existence of various groups: traders, craftsmen, officials, church people, poor and rich,” said Stibéus.

The excavation projects are supervised by the archaeological department of the state agency for national historical museums.

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