The gold belt found at Ani

During excavations in the ruins of the ancient city of Ani in Western Armenia, a massive gold belt was discovered. For 22 years there was no information about the belt; after restoration it was put on display at the Kars Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography.

The gold belt weighs 432 grams. It consists of a central buckle, a massive belt plate, connecting rings and many decorative mounts fixed to a textile base. The photographs show the round, patterned central piece, the long plate, a ring and the gold-coloured ornaments set along a dark fabric band.