During an excavation expedition in 1959, a group of archaeologists came up a sarcophagus, which opulent funeral furniture seems to suggest is a new royal tomb. The magnificent diamonds kept close to the body are of more interest to the researchers than the furniture.

These indicate a female character and attest to her distinguished ancestry. Furthermore, the treasure includes a pair of fibulas, clothing pins, a belt adornment, earrings, and a ring, all made of gold and silver, which are all characteristic of Merovingian art, specifically that of the sixth century. The corpse was finally identified thanks to the inscription Arnegundis on the gold ring.

The ring has a second inscription—Regine (Queen, in Latin)—which leaves no room for doubt. It is Queen Arégonde, Daughter of the Thuringian King Berthaire and wife of King Clotaire I, of the Merovingian dynasty. As a worthy sovereign, she was buried, according to the Merovingian custom, adorned with all her jewels.

The latter exhibit the skill of 6th century jewelers who were masters of the cloisonné method, which involves setting different precious stones in between gold panels.

The National Archeology Museum of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, located close to Paris, is where Queen Arégonde’s collection is still on display today.