(source: Courtesy of Tomáš Michalík, Museum of Trenčín)
Archaeological research has uncovered an iron fork with an antler encased handle in a former town-house under Trenčín castle, the SITA newswire reported.
The unique finding is probably about half a millennium old. Early findings suggest the fork was probably a part of a set of cutlery. The house in Mierové square is currently the seat of the Slovak Gemological Institute.
“Enclosing the handle in antler suggests a higher social status for the object’s user,” said Trenčín archaeologist Tomáš Michalík, as quoted by SITA. “Such objects were owned only by really rich people.”
(source: Courtesy of Tomáš Michalík, Museum of Trenčín)
This precious finding is now a bit of a mystery because heavy corrosion has made identification harder. “Detailed information will be available after conservation and restoration by the specialists of Trenčín museum. However, we do know the owners of the cutlery were among the rich,” said Martin Mikuš from the Slovak Gemological Institute, as quoted by SITA.
The fork will become part of the collection of the Museum of Trenčín.
