‘World’s largest treasure hoard’ worth £15BILLION could finally be FOUND after 1,000-year mystery

A TEAM of treasure hunters could be on the verge of unearthing the “world’s largest treasure hoard” said to be worth £15billion. The team, known as the “Temple Twelve,” have been searching in Finland for the “Lemminkainen Hoard” which consists of gold, jewels and artefacts since 1987. SWNSThe ‘Temple Twelve’ believe they may find the valuable hoard next year[/caption] SWNSCarl Borgen is the world’s leading authority on the Lemminkainen Hoard[/caption] SWNSThe hoard is thought to be hidden somewhere in the Sibbosberg cave system[/caption] If the hoard is discovered it is thought it will be the most valuable haul ever to be found. The group have been spending their summers searching for the treasure, working six hour days, seven days a week. Members of the group have travelled from all over the world, including Russia, Australia, the US, Sweden, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands, to join in the hunt. The existence of the treasure was acknowledged in 1984 when landowner Ior Bock claimed his family were direct descendants of Lemminkäinen, who appear in Finnish pagan mythology. Most read in The Sun GET EM IN Toon want to unveil Arsenal flop boss Emery as new manager by next week C ME NOW Ex CBeebies star Sarah-Jane strips topless to recreate snap that got her sacked CLASS ACT School days could get LONGER under plans being considered by Government BOXED OUT Gogglebox legend reveals once cast quit show they can NEVER return CLARY CLAIMS Strictly is 'fixed by producers', says 2004 finalist Julian Clary 'HORRIFIC' Fans disgusted as female MMA fighter battered by man at Polish inter-gender show Bock claimed the chamber on his estate had been sealed up with stone slabs in the 10th century to protect the treasure from invaders. Bock, who was a quadriplegic following a stabbing earlier in his life, was killed by his former assistants in 2010 but the search for the treasure continued after his death. The massive hoard is thought to include some 50,000 gemstones including rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds. Around 1,000 artefacts dating back thousands of years are also thought to be part of the hoard along with a number of 18-carat gold life-size statues. It’s thought the hoard is hidden somewhere in the Sibbosberg cave system, 20 miles east of the Finnish capital Helsinki. UNDERGROUND TEMPLE The stash is believed to be located in an underground temple in Sipoo. Countless official explorations trying to find the treasure have taken place over three decades and involving more than 100 professional prospectors from around the world. The group are now believed to be just metres away from unearthing the treasure and think next summer could be the time when it is uncovered. The original group which started excavation work in 1987 consisted of 24 people, 12 men and 12 women, although only two of the original team now remain. The world-leading authority on the Lemminkainen Hoard Carl Borgen has detailed the lives of the hunters and the treasure in his book Temporarily Insane. Borgen, 60, said: “I understand that significant progress at the temple has been made and that the crew are feeling especially excited about the months ahead. “There is now talk in the camp of being on the brink of a major breakthrough, which in real terms could be the discovery of the world’s largest and most valuable treasure trove.” The Temple Twelve are expected to return to the site in May next year and resume working there in September. SWNSTreasure hunters first started looking for the hoard in 1987[/caption] SWNSLandowner Ior Bock claimed his family were direct descendants of Lemminkäinen[/caption] We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours. Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.