ancient hoard found

[EZ_E]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/888585/posts

 

 

Ancient gold hoard found in Midlands

The Independent ^ | April 8, 2003 | David Keys Archaeology Correspondent

 

 

Posted on 04/08/2003 8:38 PM PDT by Cicero

 

 

Ancient gold hoard found in Midlands By David Keys Archaeology Correspondent 08 April 2003

 

The world's largest hoard of ancient gold and silver coins has been discovered in the East Midlands.

 

Preliminary examinations of the material – the most significant find in recent British archaeological history – revealed it was most likely buried as a pagan religious offering at around the time of the Roman invasion in AD43.

 

Archaeologists unearthed between 3,000 and 4,000 silver and gold ancient British coins as well as other treasures near Market Harborough in south Leicestershire – inside the military frontier zone established by the Roman invaders in the first four years of the occupation.

 

This suggests that the hoard was a votive offering, probably designed to ensure the Romans' victory. The archaeologists, directed by Vicki Priest of Leicester University's archaeology department, also found the remains of a gilt silver Roman cavalry helmet. It is the only piece of gold and silver Roman military equipment found in Britain and would have been worn by a senior officer. It is possible that it was given to a British tribal leader as a diplomatic gift.

 

Leicester, the capital of the probably pro-Roman local tribe, the Corieltauvi, was a few miles away and it is likely that Corieltauvian leaders were among the British kings and magnates who swore allegiance to Claudius, the Roman emperor, at a diplomatic gathering in Colchester, just a few months after the invasion.

 

The coins, worth the equivalent of about £200,000 at the time of the Roman conquest, date from the first four decades of the first century AD. Most are Corieltauvian, but some were minted by other British tribal groups.

 

"The discovery of this site should help illuminate one of the key events of history: the Roman conquest of Britain. The finds have amazed us all," said Ms Priest.

 

The Roman helmet had an iron core covered with sheet silver, decorated with textile drapery motifs and stylised hair topped by a laurel wreath and the image of a lion.The site, the location of which is being kept secret, was found by Leicestershire County Council's community archaeology network. Excavations have been funded by English Heritage, the British Museum and the BBC.

 

 

 

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; United Kingdom; Click to Add Topic

KEYWORDS: 1STCENTURY; ANCIENTHISTORY; BRITAIN; CLAUDIUS; COINS; DISCOVERY; NUMISMATICS; ROMANS; Click to Add Keyword

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1 posted on 04/08/2003 8:39 PM PDT by Cicero

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To: Cicero

 

Wow...very cool. It would be fun to come across something like this while digging in your garden...

 

 

2 posted on 04/08/2003 8:41 PM PDT by ConservativeConvert

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To: Cicero

 

3,000 Iron Age Coins Found At Pagan Site

 

 

3 posted on 04/08/2003 8:42 PM PDT by blam

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To: Cicero

 

 

 

Part of the hoard of roman coins discovered in Leicestershire.

 

 

 

[kenwin1]

Why can't I find something like this!

[EZ_E]

I work with a friend who's dad found 10,000 twenty-dollar gold pieces buried in his sister's basement some years ago. They had originally belonged to their grandfather who was involved in a scandal somehow. She donated them all to the catholic church and wouldn't even let her brother keep one them. Bummer!