The discovery of a collection of muddy coins in a Devon paddock by two enthusiastic amateur metal detectorists had a profound impact on our understanding of the extent of the Roman Empire's influence in southwestern Britain.
Previously, it was believed that the reach of ancient Rome did not extend beyond Exeter. However, this find triggered a significant archaeological excavation that unveiled not only more coins but also a segment of a Roman road and the remnants of ships from France and the Mediterranean, which once carried cargo such as wine, olive oil, and garum (a fish sauce).
The far southwest of Britain had long been considered a region that maintained its independence from Roman influence. However, the discovery at Ipplepen, near Newton Abbot, about 20 miles southwest of Exeter, challenged this notion and suggested that Roman influence was much more substantial in this area than previously thought.
It is reasonable to assume that the Roman road did not end at Ipplepen but likely continued toward the modern town of Totnes and possibly further south and west.
Danielle Wootton, the finds liaison officer for Devon, was intrigued when metal detectorists Jim Wills and Dennis Hewings informed her about the Roman coins found in the Ipplepen paddocks. She stated, "Then more and more coins were discovered, which is really unusual for this area. By the time 150 coins were discovered, it was clear that Wills and Hewings had stumbled onto something important."
Geophysical research was commissioned, leading to the discovery of circular ditches associated with Iron Age roundhouses and a Roman road. The project involved collaboration between the University of Exeter, the Portable Antiquities Scheme (run by the British Museum), Devon County Council, and Cotswold Archaeology. Experts, students, and local volunteers embarked on the meticulous process of excavation and sifting to determine the full extent of the findings.
The conclusion drawn from the excavation suggests that the road was likely constructed by the Roman army in the 1950s AD and subsequently improved and rebuilt over the next 300 years. Of particular interest alongside the road were pottery fragments, which continue to be unearthed regularly.
Among the pottery pieces were the typical crude shards one would expect from everyday pots and bowls used for cooking. However, there were also items of "Saman ware," refined kitchen bowls of French origin. One of the fragments even depicted the figure of a man, possibly Hercules with a club. Additionally, handles from amphorae, vessels used for storing wine, oil, and sauce, were found.
These discoveries hint at the possibility of a Romano-British settlement where the native Britons engaged in trade with the Romans, as evidenced by the presence of coins, and adopted aspects of Roman culture and lifestyle. Wootton noted, "The presence of such vessels demonstrates that the people living here were at least in some way influenced by the Romans - they adopted Romanized ways of eating and drinking, which shows that some locals developed a taste for Mediterranean foods such as wine and olives."