If you want to use this site please update your browser!
CATALOG
0 0
  • $
  • C$
  • £
  • $
  • C$
  • £
16.03.2021

Hallaton Treasure

The Hallaton Treasure is a remarkable hoard of British Iron Age coins and other valuable artifacts discovered in 2000 near Hallaton in south-east Leicestershire, England. It is one of the most significant Iron Age finds in the UK and provides valuable insights into the region's history and culture during the Roman conquest of Britain. Here are some key details about the Hallaton Treasure:

1. Discovery: The treasure was discovered by Ken Wallace on November 19, 2000, when he found about 130 coins using a metal detector. Subsequent excavations were conducted by local archaeologists and the University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS).

2. Contents: The Hallaton Treasure consists of over 5,000 silver and gold coins, a gilded silver Roman ceremonial helmet, jewelry, and other items. Most of the objects date from the Roman conquest of Britain in the first century AD.

3. Coin Attribution: Of the coins found, 4,835 can be attributed to the local tribe known as the Coryeltawy. This discovery more than doubled the total number of previously recorded Coryeltawy coins. One silver Roman coin from the hoard is dated to 211 B.C., making it the oldest Roman coin found in Britain.

4. Historical Significance: The presence of the Hallaton Treasure at a hilltop site in the Welland valley suggests that it was a significant ritual site, possibly an open-air sanctuary. The site's cultural importance is believed to extend from the generations before the Roman conquest to the period after it.

5. Roman Influence: The discovery of Roman coins at the site indicates interaction and connections between the East Midlands and the Roman Empire, even before the Roman conquest of Britain. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the region's significance in that period.

6. Display: The treasure finds, including the Roman helmet, are displayed at the Harborough Museum. The helmet underwent nine years of conservation at the British Museum before being displayed in 2012.

7. Sacrificial Dog: A dog skeleton found at the site is believed to have been sacrificed as part of a protective ritual associated with the treasure. The skeleton was put on display at the Harborough Museum.

8. Celtic Ring: In 2012, a silver ring with the inscription "TOT" was discovered at the site. It is thought to refer to the Celtic god Tutatis, a counterpart of the Roman god Mars. The ring is now on display at the Harborough Museum.

The Hallaton Treasure provides valuable archaeological and historical insights into the Iron Age and Roman periods in the East Midlands, shedding light on the region's significance and cultural connections during this transformative period in British history.

Hallaton Treasure

UP