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Roman Coins Found in Swedish Military Base Excavation
1 Nov
Summary
- 45 ancient Roman silver coins, two potentially counterfeit, were discovered.
- Coins feature portraits of five emperors and four empresses from the 2nd century.
- The hoard was unearthed during military base expansion work on Gotland.
During excavations for an expansion of Sweden's Gotland Regiment military base, archaeologists uncovered a remarkable hoard of 45 ancient Roman silver coins. The coins, minted in the second century A.D., bear portraits of five emperors and four empresses. Experts believe these coins arrived in Gotland during the fourth century and were used in trade for generations before being buried around 450 A.D.
Among the findings, two coins were identified as ancient counterfeits, possibly originating from the region of modern-day Ukraine. The discovery was made near a farmhouse foundation dating to the Migration Period. Alongside the coins, a gold finger ring was also found, an unusual addition to such a hoard. Archaeologists suggest the burial might have been part of a sacrifice.
This find is part of a series of ancient discoveries in Sweden. Recently, two Bronze Age neck rings and a 5,000-year-old dog skeleton were also found. The extensive excavations also revealed nine graves, bronze fittings for weapons, and evidence of two neighboring farms, suggesting a slowly abandoned settlement possibly due to natural disasters in the sixth century A.D.
