A treasure trove full of gold and silver coins has been discovered. According to archaeologists, he spent more than 2000 years underground.
In Roman times, money was an essential condition for gaining power. In this civilization, often idealized, enrichment and greed went hand in hand. For good reason, this republic, which had become increasingly dysfunctional, was based on significant social and economic inequalities. It was not until the reign of Emperor Nero, from 54 to 68 AD, that an emperor tackled corruption and diminished the influence of wealthy patrician families.
The treasure found at the end of 2023 in the county of Worcestershire, in the west of England, comes from this same period. With its 1,368 gold and silver Roman and Celtic coins, it is one of “Worcestershire’s most important archaeological finds in the last 100 years”, according to Worcestershire Heritage, Art & Museums.
The silver coins are believed to be dated between 157 BC. and 68 AD. AD, indicate our colleagues from the BBC. Among them, a single gold coin, called a stater, was found. It would have been struck between 20 and 45 AD by the Dobunni, a local community.
DAccording to archaeologists, these pieces are those of a rich local farmer who prospered by supplying cereals and livestock to the Roman army. In total, he would have collected a treasure of more than 100,000 pounds sterling, or around 120,000 euros. According to one expert, he also represented a “very considerable sum of money” at the time he was buried.
IQuestioned by the English media, Professor Murray Andrews, specialist in archaeology, described this discovery as “miraculous“ and of “outstanding“. It is the third such treasure discovered in this region of Britain in 25 years. Worcestershire Heritage, Art & Museums, aiming to buy it back and display it, has launched an appeal for donations to raise at least £6,000, hoping that the rest of the cost will be covered by grants.
The BBC also clarified that the treasure will be returned to the person who found it or to the owner of the land if the funds are not raised. History enthusiasts on site still hope that the association will raise enough money to allow local people to learn more about the county’s heritage.