Lost jewels in a forest: the curious finding that changes the history of the English city of Thetford

The jewels found in a forest have been fundamental to rewriting the history of the English city of Thetfordlocated east of the country, in the Eastern Anglia region. The analysis of these objectives has found that the city was pagan until the 5th century, a more extensive time than previously believed, according to a new article Posted in Journal of Roman Archaeology.

The location of this treasure was also almost by chance. It was first discovered in 1979 By a metal detector who invaded a construction work in Physon’s Way, in Gallows Hill. The booty, 88 pieces: 22 golden rings, other gold jewels and 36 spoons or silver strainers.

The research author, Professor Ellen Swift at Kent University, argues that there are convincing evidence that the Treasury was buried in the 5th century And not at the end of the fourth century, as initially believed.

This new chronology was reached after performing Detailed comparisons of multiple objects (spoons and jewelry) with findings dated by context of continental Europe and with Hoxne Treasury objects of the 5th century, currently exposed in the British Museum, which was more recently found than Thetford’s treasure and contains many similar articles.

“The treasure contained objects of variable dates, and it can also be demonstrated that groups of objects with different dates are interrelated through wear patterns, technical and composition relations, and probable areas of manufacturing, which corroborates its chronological group,” writes the author in her article.

Thetford’s new dating of the Treasury throws relevant conclusions: “It suggests that a pagan center survived there until the 5th century.” Swift also argues that the economic heritage of the site “shows that it could have exercised significant power and authority at the local level.” In addition, the article shows that Great Britain was less isolated than previously believed and that treasure objects came from the entire Roman Empire.

A Treasury with pieces of different origin

The Treasury, of 88 piecespresents a wide variety of styles, which suggests that the different pieces come from different places. For example, some rings probably come from northern Italy or adjacent regions. In the case of collar with conical accounts, it comes from the Balkan area in Europe. In any case, most of the jewels are “Romano Mediterranean”.