An elderly woman in Romania unknowingly used one of the world’s largest amber nuggets as a doorstop for decades, unaware of its true worth.
Many years ago, the unnamed woman discovered the amber nugget near a stream in the Romanian village of Colti. Unaware of its true worth, she used it as a doorstop in her home for decades.
A simple household object used as a doorstop for years turned out to be a priceless amber nugget, only recognized for its true worth after the owner’s passing. The amber, after the woman died in 1991, was inherited by a relative who suspected its potential value.
Discovery of a hidden gem
After the woman’s death, the man who inherited the nugget examined it closely and realized it might be more than just an ordinary object. His intuition proved correct when he sold the amber to the Romanian state, which immediately classified it as a national treasure. To verify the find, Romania sent the nugget to the Museum of History in Krakow, Poland, where experts confirmed its authenticity.
A rare and ancient artifact
Polish experts estimated the amber nugget to be between 38.5 and 70 million years old, making it an extraordinary find both scientifically and culturally. “Its discovery represents a great significance both at a scientific level and at a museum level,” said Daniel Costache, director of the Provincial Museum of Buzau, where the amber is now housed. Costache added that it is believed to be one of the largest pieces of amber in the world.
Thieves missed the true treasure
Relatives of the late woman recalled a twist of fate when burglars broke into her home, stealing only a few pieces of gold jewelry. “In their frantic search for valuables, they overlooked the real treasure that was there before their eyes,” they told El País. Today, the amber nugget stands as a testament to the hidden stories that everyday objects can hold, now safely housed and displayed as a significant piece of natural history.