The Hawksne Hoard is a significant archaeological discovery in the UK, and it represents a remarkable collection of late Roman gold, silver, and bronze artifacts. Here are some key details about the Hawksne Hoard:
1. Discovery: The Hawksne Hoard was discovered in 1992 by Eric Lawes, a metal detectorist, in the village of Hawksne in Suffolk County, England. The hoard was found buried underground.
2. Contents: The hoard includes an impressive collection of 14,865 Roman coins, as well as about 200 pieces of silverware and gold jewelry. The objects are primarily from the fourth and fifth centuries AD, making it one of the largest collections of late Roman gold and silver coins found in the Roman Empire.
3. Burial: The treasure was buried in an oak box or small chest, which has since been excavated and studied by archaeologists. The objects within the hoard were carefully sorted and stored, with some placed in smaller wooden boxes and others wrapped in cloth or stored in bags.
4. Historical Context: The coins within the hoard date from after AD 407, coinciding with the end of Britain as a Roman province. The reasons for burying the hoard and the identity of its owners remain unknown. However, it is believed to represent the wealth of a very affluent individual or family.
5. Unique Items: The Hawksne Hoard contains rare and significant items, including a gold body chain and gilded silver pepper pots (piperatoria). One of the pepper pots is known as the "Empress pepper pot." These items provide valuable insights into the lifestyle and tastes of the late Roman period.
6. Archaeological Significance: The discovery of the Hawksne Hoard was significant not only for its valuable contents but also because it was excavated by professional archaeologists. The objects were found mostly intact and undamaged, contributing to our understanding of late Roman material culture.
7. Impact on Metal Detecting: The find has played a role in improving relations between metal detectorists and archaeologists in the UK. It has also influenced changes in English law regarding the reporting and handling of treasure finds.
8. Display: Many of the important pieces from the Hawksne Hoard are on permanent display at the British Museum in London, allowing the public to appreciate this exceptional archaeological discovery.
The Hawksne Hoard is not only a testament to the wealth and craftsmanship of the late Roman period but also an example of how collaborative efforts between metal detectorists and archaeologists can enhance our understanding of the past.
The treasure mainly consists of gold and silver coins and jewelry, totaling 3.5 kg (7.7 pounds) of gold and 23.75 kg (52.4 pounds) of silver. [23] It was placed in a wooden chest made mostly or entirely of oak , measuring approximately 60 × 45 × 30 cm (23.6 × 17.7 × 11.8 in). In the chest, some items were apparently placed in smaller boxes of yew and cherry, while others were packed in woolen cloth or hay. The chest and inner boxes were almost completely destroyed after burial, but fragments of the chest and its fixtures were discovered during excavations. The main objects found were:
- 569 gold coins.
- 14,272 silver coins, including 60 miliards and 14,212 flints
- 24 bronze coins
- 29 pieces of gold jewelry
- 98 silver spoons and scoops
- A silver tiger made as a handle for a vessel
- 4 silver bowls and a small dish
- 1 silver tumbler
- 1 silver vase or jug
- 4 pepper pots, including an Empress pepper pot
- Toiletries, such as toothpicks.
- 2 silver locks from decomposed remnants of wooden or leather boxes
- Traces of various organic materials, including a small ivory pixie