Valuables and items from everyday life belonging to Jews that were hidden during the Holocaust have been discovered in a construction site of a historical building in Lodz, Poland.
The objects, which number approximately 400 pieces, were found during the renovation of a courtyard in the city, according to the Notes From Poland site.
The items, including sacred objects, two menorahs, silver dishware and glass cosmetic containers, were buried by their owners with the intention of retrieving them later when it was safe, the regional office for the preservation of historical objects announced.
The office added that the objects will be placed with the Lodz archaeology museum. The objects are currently being restored, after which they will be displayed in a special exhibit.
The discovery was made in 2022 while renovators worked on a historic tenement house in the center of town. The contractor spoke to the Lodz conservation authority about the objects. The authority found 280 metal objects, belonging to Jews, that had been buried during the Holocaust.
Work on the site was suspended while an archaeological survey was conducted, during which many more items were found, including candlesticks, cutlery, glasses, toiletries and a cigarette case.
The site where the items were found was near the border of the Lodz Ghetto, according to the report.
Around 210,000 Jews passed through the Lodz Ghetto between 1940 and 1944. Only 877 remained when it was liberated by Soviet troops.