Yesterday marked the grand opening of a captivating new exhibition at the Drents Museum in Assen. Titled “Dacia – Realm of Gold and Silver,” this exhibition explores the rich history and treasures of the Dacians, an ancient civilization from modern-day Romania. With its glittering display of gold and silver artifacts, the exhibition promises to be a fascinating journey into a lesser-known past.
Harry Tupan, director of the Drents Museum, was greeted with great enthusiasm during his visit to the Roman National History Museum in Bucharest last fall. His visit sparked the idea for a new exhibition, following successful shows featuring treasures from Russia, Georgia, and Armenia. The result is an impressive collection of 673 pieces from various Romanian museums, now on display in Assen.
Ancient bling: The Dacians step out of the shadows
The Dacians, who lived from around 2000 BC, are known for their magnificent gold and silver treasures. Despite their historical richness, they remain relatively obscure compared to other ancient civilizations. The new exhibition aims to change that by showcasing their exquisite artifacts. The Dacians’ history came to a halt with their defeat by the Romans, and their lack of a written language has contributed to their obscurity. However, their stunning treasures keep their legacy alive.
Curator Cristiana Tataru from the Roman National History Museum expressed her pride in the exhibition, saying, “It was a challenge to bring together such a large collection in such a short time, especially in a prestigious museum like the Drents Museum. It gives me a proud feeling that we can showcase one of the most important but less known ancient peoples.” The exhibition beautifully captures the mystical and magical essence of the Dacians.
A peek into Dacian dress code: Bracelets, helmets, and snake heads
The exhibition is designed around a mountain symbolizing the Carpathians, where the Dacians once lived. Among the highlighted pieces is the golden helmet of Cotofenesti, a favorite of museum director Harry Tupan. “This piece is almost pure gold. As an art historian and silver expert, I marvel at its beauty and the craftsmanship of the time,” Tupan remarked.
Cristiana Tataru’s favorite pieces are three golden bracelets featuring snake heads. “These three are part of a collection of 13 bracelets found by illegal gold hunters and sold in other countries. In total, 24 bracelets have been found, and we managed to retrieve 13 of them in 2007. I am hopeful we will recover more,” she said. These bracelets were likely worn by the Dacian elite.
Curator Irini Biezeveld chose a set of four smaller bracelets, noting, “These are 3200 years old, beautifully finished, and part of a much larger treasure. We believe not all the bracelets were completed. Some have four spirals, others only two. There are also loose parts that still need to be worked on. It intrigues me why they were left unfinished.”
The Drents Museum anticipates attracting 75,000 visitors to “Dacia – Realm of Gold and Silver,” aiming to provide an engaging experience for everyone. The exhibition will be on view until the end of January 2025.
Image via WikiUser Nenea hartia, license here
