Why This Newly Discovered Ancient Necklace Has Got Archaeologists Excited

"When the first glints of gold started to emerge from the soil, we knew this was something significant," said Levente-Bence Balazs, lead excavator of the Museum of London Archaeology team that unearthed the treasure, "but we didn't realize quite how special it was going to be." Fragments of tooth enamel are all that remain of the necklace's wearer, though decorated pots and an elaborate, silver-cast cross found at the site also speak to her importance. Neither can compare with the necklace, uncovered on 11 April but only made public on 6 December, and its 30 beads and gemstones encrusted with still-sparkling gold.

Why This Newly Discovered Ancient Necklace Has Got Archaeologists Excited