…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
A metal detectorist has found a treasure trove of objects dating back to the Iron Age and Roman era in Llantrisant Fawr, Monmouthshire.
The objects, found in a remarkable condition, were declared treasure by the assistant coroner for Gwent, Rose Farmer.
Some of the Roman finds suggest the existence of a previously undiscovered settlement in the area.
Among the treasures were an Iron Age vessel hoard, a Roman coin hoard, and two silver artifacts from the 17th century.
Jon Matthews, who has been a detectorist for ten years, discovered the objects in March 2019 while metal-detecting in Llantrisant Fawr.
He did not initially know what he had found, but after calling the local find liaison officer, the artifacts were delicately dug up and taken to Amgueddfa Cymru.
A few weeks later, he was able to join the museum’s excavation team at the site.
Here, the team discovered more artifacts, including a bowl decorated with an ox’s face.
The remains of two wooden tankards, an Iron Age bucket with copper alloy fittings, an Iron Age copper alloy bowl, cauldron and strainer, and two Roman copper alloy saucepans have been identified.
The vessels appear to have been buried as a group around the time of the Roman conquest, in the second half of the first century AD.
The discovery sheds light on life in the rural hinterland around the Roman town of Venta Silurum.
Alastair Willis, a senior curator at Amgueddfa Cymru, said that the discovery of two coin hoards in the same field and in the general vicinity of the Roman town at Caerwent is significant.
The discoveries are important for understanding events happening in south-east Wales around the time when the Romans left, at the beginning of the fifth century AD.
Two post-medieval silver artifacts, including a chape and a thimble, were also declared treasure in separate incidents.
Analysis and Commentaries:
This discovery of a treasure trove of ancient artifacts is significant, as it sheds light on the life of the Romans and Iron Age people in the rural hinterland around the Roman town of Venta Silurum.
The discovery of the artifacts provides an opportunity for archaeologists to learn more about the culture, technology, and beliefs of the people of that time.
The artifacts will be preserved and displayed at Amgueddfa Cymru, which is the National Museum of Wales.
The discovery of the Roman coins is also significant, as it suggests the presence of a previously unknown settlement or religious site in the area.
The discovery of the coins provides new insights into the economic and social life of the Romans in Wales.
The geophysical survey undertaken suggests the presence of a settlement or religious site where the coin hoards were buried.
The discovery of the artifacts is also significant because it highlights the importance of the role of metal detectorists in uncovering archaeological treasures.
Metal detectorists play a crucial role in discovering archaeological treasures that might otherwise be lost or destroyed.
The discovery of the artifacts in this case was made by a metal detectorist, who recognized the potential importance of the objects and reported them to the authorities.
The discovery of the treasure trove of ancient artifacts is a significant development in the field of archaeology, as it provides new insights into the life of the Romans and Iron Age people in Wales.
The discovery highlights the importance of preserving archaeological treasures for future generations and the role of metal detectorists in uncovering them.