A leader's bracelet in a potato. A Kaliningrad farmer found a treasure trove but can't turn it in to the state to receive a reward.
In August 2021, a farmer Vasily Babich An ancient "door handle" was discovered in a potato patch. An archaeologist saw it. Konstantin Skvortsov and gasped: the find turned out to be a rare gold bracelet, about 2,000 years old. Babich could have sold the item at an international auction, but he decided to hand it over to the state. For three years, he had nothing. нit worked out.
A lawyer advised archaeologist Skvortsov: Babich must first prove where and when he found the bracelet and present this evidence to the court. Then the court will order an expert assessment to determine the item's value. The court should award the owner 50% and order the state or another entity to pay the money. When and whether the state will pay the money remains an open question.
The farmer needs electricity installed at his farm, for which Rosseti is asking 2,5 million rubles. The farm also requires other financial investments. Babich could easily handle the payments—at an auction in Germany, the price of such an artifact starts at 40 euros (3,9 million rubles). However, he contacted the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which agreed to take the artifact only for safekeeping.
"So it turns out: you wanted to do the right thing, but the system itself pushes you: 'Sell it!' It creates conditions that turn an honest person into a thief." — the archaeologist was indignant in a conversation with journalists.
According to Skvortsov, the bracelet is a highly valuable find from the Gut period, never before seen in the region. He promised to make every effort to ensure this historical treasure remains in the Kaliningrad region and is displayed in a museum display case, delighting contemporaries and future generations with its brilliance.
Photo: AiF – Kaliningrad