Via the always good History Blog, in the process of digging the foundation for a supermarket, archaeologists have found a collection of jewelry that was hidden under the floor of a house that was destroyed when Boudicca’s forces leveled Colchester in 61 A.D.
The hoard was buried in a small pit dug in the initial phase of Boudicca’s revolt, when her army was marching on Colchester which, despite its population of Roman veterans, stood largely defenseless and unfortified. Archaeologists believe a wealthy Roman woman or her slave collected her valuable jewels and hid them to keep them from being pillaged and it worked, to some extent. Boudicca’s troops never did find the lady’s valuables; they just burned her house to the ground and left the treasures to be found by archaeologists 2,000 years later. The entire hoard has been removed in a solid block of soil so that it can be excavated with all due deliberation in a conservation laboratory.
What a cool story, about an amazing find. It makes one wonder what else is still hidden beneath our feet.
Wow! Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteBoudicca's peasant army surprised the complacent Romans - and terrified Roman citizens. A study of the skirmishes fought around Vindolanda (Hadrian's Wall) are instructive in the history of the 9th (Spanish) Legion, which eventually defeated Boudicca after she slaughtered her way through Britain, killing Roman citizens by the 10 of thousands.
ReplyDeleteIt's fate of the 9th is shrouded in mystery in the present day. But they certainly earned their bread and salt fighting the unhappy British during Nero's reign.
It wasn't the IXth which defeated Boudica. They got wiped out (apart from their cavalry) whilst marching to relieve Colchester. The victory was won by the XIVth and the XXth.
ReplyDelete