Man Discovers 650-Year-Old Treasure in Back Garden

While digging in his back yard to expand a small pond, an Austrian man, who asked not to be publicly identified, came across a treasure of historic proportions.

Described as "sensational" and 'breathtaking," the jewelry was turned over to the Austrian Department of Antiquities. The collection consisted of more than 200 rings, brooches, ornate belt buckles, gold-plated silver plates and other pieces or fragments, many encrusted with pearls, fossilized coral and other ornaments.

The objects are about 650 years old and are being evaluated for their provenance and worth. While not assigning a monetary value to the buried bling, the enthusiastic language from the normally staid Federal Office for Memorials reflected the significance it attached to the discovery. It described the ornaments as "one of the qualitatively most significant discoveries of medieval treasure in Austria." The finder is not interested in selling the treasures and is considering loaning the collection to one of Austria's museums.