Dacian bracelets to be displayed in Romania

Four ancient gold Dacian bracelets, retrieved recently from an American art collector, will debut at the National History Museum of Romania on Jan. 22, local media reported on Friday.

The national Rompres news agency cited the museum's announcement as saying that the invaluable spiral bracelets are made of 24-karat gold, decorated with stylized small palm leaves and animal busts at both ends.

According to the reports, the bracelets would become a new glittery attraction at the exhibition, opened last autumn to celebrate 1,900 years of ancient Dacia, which back then was turned into a Roman province.

The specialists say that the artifacts dating from the classical Getaean-Dacian era (200 B.C.-100 A.D.) have a market value of 1.5 million euros each.

The four bracelets were initially, accidentally discovered in the Orastie Mountains area, which is location of the ancient Dacian fortresses. They were then illegally taken out of Romania, most likely in 2002.

The specialists also say that the bracelets may have been a sign of power, taking into account their weight (900-1,100 grams), their exquisite craftsmanship as well as the place and circumstances of their discovery.

They were worn only during certain special ceremonies by people, who ranked high in the political and social hierarchy of the Dacian kingdom.

Another Dacian bracelet, discovered by French policemen at the Grand Palais Biennale in Paris, where it was being offered for sale for 90,000 euros, last September, will go on display later.

Source: Xinhua