Valuable objects dating to the first half of the 2nd millennium BC, which likely formed parts of a gold necklace or a pendant used as a grave offering, were discovered during an excavation on Kolonna Hill in Aegina.

More specifically, during the opening of an excavation trench inside a large stone-built structure, located just outside and in close proximity to the remains of the wall that protected the expansion of the Middle Bronze Age settlement—the so-called “inner suburb”—eight gold bi-partite disc-shaped pendants (objects typically used in hanging jewellery or amulets), one gold disc-shaped pendant, seven gold biconical beads (metal discs often used as elements in jewellery, especially necklaces), one gold cylindrical bead, eight decorative gold sheet appliqués, and seven spherical carnelian beads were found. In addition, twelve copper fragments—possibly from small knives—and one needle/pin were also uncovered.

Although the stratigraphy of the excavation context in which they were found had been disturbed at an unknown time, it is reasonable to assume that the jewellery constituted grave goods from a Middle Bronze Age burial, even though no clear evidence of a preserved tomb was identified.

The gold jewellery, particularly the pendants, shows similarities to some of the pieces from the so-called “Aegina Treasure” of prehistoric times—a collection of jewellery made from precious and semi-precious stones, discovered in Aegina, illegally exported, and housed in the British Museum since 1892.

The archaeological site of Kolonna is located on the northwestern side of the island, near the port and the modern town of Aegina. Although it is primarily known for the 6th-century BC Temple of Apollo, Kolonna Hill shows continuous use over time—as a prehistoric settlement, a sanctuary in historical periods, the acropolis of the ancient city, and later a Byzantine settlement.

The significant finds were uncovered during an excavation conducted by the University of Salzburg through the Austrian Archaeological Institute at Athens, under the direction of Professor Alexander Sokolicek and the supervision of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands. It is evident that, despite long-term research, this hill still has much more to reveal.