Unveiling the Secrets: Iron Age And Roman Coin Hoards In Britain That Will Leave You Astonished!

Throughout history, Britain has been a land of mystery and intrigue. From ancient civilizations to Roman conquests, the secrets buried beneath its surface continue to captivate historians, archaeologists, and treasure hunters alike. Among the most fascinating discoveries are the Iron Age and Roman coin hoards that have been unearthed across the country. These hidden treasures provide valuable insights into Britain's past, shedding light on the economy, trade routes, and the power dynamics that shaped the region. In this article, we delve into the captivating world of Iron Age and Roman coin hoards in Britain, uncovering stories that have remained hidden for centuries.

Iron Age Coin Hoards

The Iron Age (800 BC to 43 AD) was a pivotal era in Britain's history. During this time, ancient Britons slowly migrated from a largely tribal society to a more complex and stratified society. The discovery of Iron Age coin hoards allows us to glimpse into the economic system of the time, which was based on trade and barter.

Iron Age and Roman Coin Hoards in Britain

by Ronald Utt (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	103418 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages

FREE

Iron Age coin hoards consist mainly of gold and silver coins, often accompanied by jewellery, weapons, and other valuable artifacts. These hoards were not necessarily used for everyday transactions but served as a means of storing wealth or making offerings to the gods.

The Whaddon Chase Hoard

One of the most remarkable Iron Age coin hoards found in Britain is the Whaddon Chase Hoard. Discovered in Cambridgeshire in 2002 by a metal detectorist, the hoard contained over 800 gold coins, making it one of the largest Iron Age coin hoards ever found in the country. The coins, known as staters, were minted in Gaul (present-day France) during the 1st century BC.

Experts believe that the Whaddon Chase Hoard was buried during a period of political instability, possibly as a way to protect wealth during times of conflict. The hoard is a testament to the wealth and power of local Iron Age tribes and provides valuable insight into the trade relationships between Britain and continental Europe during this era.

Roman Coin Hoards

With the Roman conquest of Britain in 43 AD, a new era was ushered in. The Romans brought with them advanced coinage, which replaced the traditional Iron Age currency. Roman coin hoards provide a glimpse into the way the Romans managed their economy in Britain and the transition from pre-Roman to Roman society.

Unlike Iron Age coin hoards, Roman coin hoards often contain large quantities of bronze coins, alongside silver and gold. These hoards were buried for various reasons, including economic changes, military raids, or as offerings to the gods for protection or good fortune.

The Frome Hoard

The Frome Hoard, discovered in Somerset in 2010, is a testament to the Roman presence in Britain. It consisted of over 52,500 Roman coins, making it one of the largest Roman coin hoards ever discovered in the country. The coins were buried during the early 3rd century AD, a turbulent time marked by political and economic instability.

Experts believe that the Frome Hoard was buried by a wealthy Roman citizen, possibly as a way to protect his assets during a time of uncertainty. The hoard not only sheds light on the economic activities of Romans in Britain but also provides a unique glimpse into the everyday lives of Roman citizens.

Iron Age and Roman coin hoards in Britain offer a fascinating window into the past, providing valuable information about the societies that inhabited the land thousands of years ago. These hidden treasures allow us to understand the complexities of ancient economies, trade networks, and the political dynamics at play. As more hoards are discovered, our understanding of Britain's history continues to evolve, unraveling tales that were once lost to time. The journey to uncover these secrets is ongoing, and who knows what other astonishing discoveries lay buried beneath Britain's soil, waiting to be unearthed.

Iron Age and Roman Coin Hoards in Britain

by Ronald Utt (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	103418 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	384 pages

FREE

More coin hoards have been recorded from Roman Britain than from any other province of the Empire. This comprehensive and lavishly illustrated volume provides a survey of over 3260 hoards of Iron Age and Roman coins found in England and Wales with a detailed analysis and discussion. Theories of hoarding and deposition and examined, national and regional patterns in the landscape settings of coin hoards presented, together with an analysis of those hoards whose findspots were surveyed and of those hoards found in archaeological excavations. It also includes an unprecedented examination of the containers in which coin hoards were buried and the objects found with them. The patterns of hoarding in Britain from the late 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD are discussed. The volume also provides a survey of Britain in the 3rd century AD, as a peak of over 700 hoards are known from the period from AD 253–296. This has been a particular focus of the project which has been a collaborative research venture between the University of Leicester and the British Museum funded by the AHRC. The aim has been to understand the reasons behind the burial and non-recovery of these finds. A comprehensive online database (https://finds.org.uk/database) underpins the project, which also undertook a comprehensive GIS analysis of all the hoards and field surveys of a sample of them.