
Researchers have found a stunning collection of gold jewellery from the Middle Bronze Age at the Kolona site on the Greek island of Aegina. These artefacts were officially announced on April 22, 2026, by the Greek Ministry of Culture, dating back to the first half of the second millennium BCE. This discovery provides researchers with significant new information about the elite identities of the ancient Aegean and their trade networks.
The 2025 excavation at the Kolona site, conducted by the University of Salzburg in partnership with the Austrian Archaeological Institute, unearthed a cohesive grouping of gold pendant beads and carnelian ornaments that most likely made up a high-status necklace. This discovery further highlights Aegina's ancient position as a key player in the larger Mediterranean trading system. This significant archaeological finding underscores the island's historical prominence, illustrating the intricate craftsmanship and far-reaching economic connections defining Bronze Age society.