Hoard of Roman coins found during archaeological excavation
After six months of archaeological investigations at the site of the new Gainsborough
Hotel & Thermal Spa, archaeologists have uncovered a rare and exciting hoard of
Roman coins.
Cotswold Archaeology discovered the coins while excavating in the area around the
site of the main pool of the new Thermal Spa. The area of the discovery can be seen
by passersby on Lower Borough Walls. Under the provisions of the Treasure Act,
the hoard has been reported to the local Coroner who will obtain an expert report on
the contents and decide whether it can be claimed as treasure.
Approximately 150 coins were dislodged from the hoard and a rough estimate based
on the size of the deposit which has been lifted from the ground is that the total
number of coins found will run into the hundreds if not over a thousand. The coins
are in mixed condition, with surfaces typically obscured by soil and many stuck
together as clumps by corrosion.
It is too early to indentify the type of coins or the date of deposit, however all appear
to be roughly the same size and judging by the appearance of the corrosion, are of
similar metal composition; copper based, with some silver. Two of the better
preserved coins are provisionally identifiable as a style sometimes referred to as
‘Antoniniani’ which were current during the earlier and middle years of the 3rd century
AD. One appears to be an issue of the emperor Phillip I (‘the Arab’) dateable c. AD
244-9.
The period c.AD 240-60 is one of the most poorly represented periods for coin
hoards in Britain which makes this find, along with the location of its discovery one of
considerable archaeological interest.
The hoard was deposited against the inside face of a masonry wall in what appears
to have been a small, roughly oval pit, measuring 40cm x 30cm dug through the floor
of a Roman building. It is believed the coins would have originally been stored in
leather or cloth bags.
Richard Sermon, Head of Archaeology for Bath and North East Somerset Council
said
“The coins give us a great insight into the Roman monetary system, and
provide a glimpse of life in 3rd century Bath, a time political and economic
crisis throughout the Roman Empire. The hoard reveals that the citizens of
Aquae Sulis where no different from people today hiding their money under
the mattress or floor boards.”
Andrew Ryan, Director of Bath Hotel and Spa Ltd, developers of the new
Gainsborough Hotel & Thermal Spa said:
“We are delighted that such an important find has been made after extensive
archaeological investigations on the site of the new Gainsborough Hotel. We
hope that the discovery of the coins will further enhance knowledge of the
history of Bath”.
A soil block containing the hoard has been lifted and is currently stored in a
conservation laboratory in Chippenham, Wiltshire, awaiting a decision on the best
way to excavate and conserve it.
Coin hoards have been found throughout the Roman Empire and approximately
1500 are known to have been discovered in Britain. Most known examples are from
rural locations, with numbers increasing in recent years due to the activities of metaldetectors.
Examples of hoards found in towns are very few, due largely to the more
limited opportunities for discoveries
Conventional thinking is that hoards were concealed by their owners with the
intention of later recovery – which, for some reason, was prevented. They are more
common from some periods than others and in some instances this can be linked
into known periods of ‘stress’ – which might include ‘Barbarian’ incursions or times of
political turmoil.
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Source:
Press Release Jan 7th 2008
Informative
Bath Hotel & Spa Company Limited is a joint venture between The Trevor Osborne Property
Group (The Osborne Group) and CP Holdings / Danubius Hotels. The company is
developing the new five star Gainsborough Hotel and Thermal Spa. The Osborne Group is a
property development company which specializes in developing mixed use and heritage
projects alongside public sector partners and Trust bodies. The company has a long term
relationship with the City of Bath.
Recently completed projects include the highly successful, award winning Oxford Castle
Heritage Project. Current projects include a second Hotel and Thermal Spa at Buxton
Crescent (with joint venture partners CP Holdings Limited/Danubius Hotels) and the
restorations of The Pavilion, Bournemouth.
Contacts:
Bath Hotel & Spa Company Limited
Rectory Lodge, Combe Hay, Bath BA2 7EG
Contact: Jo Booker
Email: jo.booker@topgroup.cp.uk
Phone: 01225 832302
Fax: 01225 832304
Cotswold Archaeology
Building 11
Kemble Enterprise Park
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 6BQ
Mark Collard
Head of Contracts
Tel: 01285 772604
East Lothian
