Rare silver from the time of the First Crusade (1096–1099) were uncovered by archaeologists at the archaeological site of Batina in the Baranja region. This location is linked to Iron Age settlements and the Roman border system.
Experts believe that this discovery will help scholars rethink modern perceptions of medieval trade routes, economic history, and the movement of crusaders through Central and Southeastern Europe.
A discovery that was not expected here
Archaeological work in this area has been ongoing since 2008, primarily focusing on ancient fortifications and Roman military structures. Therefore, archaeologists did not anticipate finding any medieval artifacts here.
Archaeologist Domagoj Duimić, the curator of the , emphasized that the discovery was completely unexpected. “We did not expect to find anything medieval here. Even in France, where these coins were minted, examples of this type are extremely rare due to the continent-wide silver shortage characteristic of that period,” Duimić explained.
The collection found includes 56 medieval French silver coins originating from Limoges, Toulouse, Albi, and the diocese of Le Puy. These coins were minted from the late 9th to the mid-13th century, coinciding with the era of the First Crusade. The appearance of this treasure in Croatia indicates unexpected connections between regions of Western Europe and the Danube basin.
The medieval period represented by these coins was marked by a silver crisis across Europe. A decline in silver mining, political instability, and disruptions to trade routes led to a widespread shortage of this metal. As a result, mints in French territories produced significantly fewer coins than usual. Certain types of coins have survived to this day in very limited quantities, as reported by Arkeonews.
This is what makes the Croatian so unusual: some of the coins found in Batina represent over 10 percent of all known examples in the world. Such a concentration is impressive, making it one of the most significant medieval numismatic finds documented in Europe.
Possible connections to crusader routes
Since the coins date back to the era associated with the First Crusade and originate from regions that actively participated in the mobilization of crusaders, the treasure may be linked to their movements. Alternatively, it could be connected to the pilgrimage routes leading to the Holy Land. Croatia’s geographical location made it a corridor for groups traveling through the Balkans toward Constantinople and the Levant.
The discovery in Batina provides compelling material evidence that Western European travelers may have passed through northern Croatia in the 11th and 12th centuries. The presence of French silver coins at a site dominated by remnants from the Iron Age and Roman times adds valuable information for mapping alternative medieval routes.
