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Those Romans

23 December 2020
Archaeology

Sent in by Gary – 4 links. Two of them are below. At www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9075429/ … archaeologists have dug up the remains of an Iron Age village, or stronghold, in Essex. They think it was destroyed by the Roman army in retribution for the revolt of Boudicca in 61AD. Like so many Iron Age settlements it was located on a ridge overlooking a valley, and a river. The round houses were big and the enclosure ditch was on a par with Iron Age earthworks elsewhere, from Buckinghamshire to Hertfordshire, and Essex. It is thought the Romans targeted it as the stronghold of a local prince who may have supported the revolt. The Trinovantes were heavily involved with the Iceni.

At www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9073957/ … a Viking age hoard discovered in Dumfries and Galloway, on the Scottish borders, and dating to around AD900, is due to be sent out on a round Scotland tour. Gold and silver objects, and ingots, crystal, textiles, even silk, are part of the hoard which was discovered by metal detectorists in 2014. The Galloway hoard ended up at Glasgow Univerisity and is still in the process of being examined, fully. Unlike other hoards that metal detectorists have found this one is said to differ. Others tend to be bracketed as people spiriting away their valuables during a time of war and conflict, and holes in the ground were favoured. This one might belong to Viking raiders – or to natives in fear of Viking marauders. The objects appear to have been specially selected, and were hidden in pots and containers wrapped in leather or textiles. Pottery vessels were part of the hoard, and were perfect to hold brooches, rings and precious metal objects. One of the pots had an origin in Carolingian France, hence the date assigned to the hoard. THe style of gold filigree and other clues also assisted in the dating process. One of the special objects appears to be an Anglo Saxon silver cross with jewels. It may have been looted locally, or a long way away.

At both links there are extensive images.

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