Latest news with #Roman-British
Irish Post
4 days ago
- Science
- Irish Post
Archaeologists discover the first fully intact Roman pottery in north Dublin
IRELAND'S history may not be written in stone after all. A team of archaeologists working at a coastal site in north County Dublin has made a discovery that is being hailed as a milestone in Irish archaeology: the first fully intact Roman pot ever uncovered on the island. The find was made at the Drumanagh promontory fort near the village of Loughshinny. Christine Baker, Fingal County Council's Heritage Officer and lead archaeologist on the excavation, described the moment of discovery as extraordinary. 'We're breathless with the sheer excitement of it all,' she said in a statement. 'This is the first time a complete Roman pot has been excavated in Ireland. We've found fragments before, amphora necks, shards, but nothing like this.' Though the Roman Empire never conquered lands in Ireland, this discovery adds to growing evidence of cross-cultural trade. 'While there's no indication of a Roman settlement here,' Baker said, 'we're seeing clear signs of sustained contact. Trade, influence, maybe even a Roman presence overseeing commerce, it's all beginning to take shape through what we're uncovering.' Drumanagh, which lies on a 46-acre headland fortified by earthen ramparts, has drawn a lot of interest in recent years over its geographic and historic significance. Yet, only in recent years have scientific excavations taken place. The Digging Drumanagh project, which began in 2018, aims to uncover the site's historical layers with help from the local community. In its first excavation season in 2018, archaeologists discovered Iron Age deposits and human remains from the late prehistoric period, suggesting activity at the site hundreds of years before Roman contact. Since then, annual digs have revealed signs of textile and craft production and dozens of Roman pottery fragments alongside Roman-British artefacts such as glass beads and vessels. Recent digs have also uncovered grain-storage pits later used as refuse dumps and a variety of bone tools. One particularly exciting find was a Roman-style die. In 2024, during post-excavation analysis, another rare item was found: a charred fig, initially mistaken for a small apple. Later confirmed by archaeobotanist Professor Meriel McClatchie, the 2,000-year-old fruit is the earliest known example of an exotic Roman import to Ireland. Figs, which were often dried before being transported, were a staple in a Roman's diet. Its discovery offers further proof of Roman goods reaching Irish shores through their vast trade networks. The newly found intact pot has been moved to the National Museum of Ireland, where conservation work and further analysis continue. Dr. John Waddell, an expert in Irish archaeology and a member of the Royal Irish Academy, wrote in a blog post, 'This discovery at Drumanagh is a game-changer. It provides tangible evidence of Roman presence and influence in Ireland, not just through trade goods but through the artefacts themselves.' The ancient fig discovered at the site (Photo by Fingal County Council)
Al Jazeera
17-03-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
Photos of St. Patrick's Day celebrations
March brings the vibrant greens of spring, and with them, a global celebration rooted in Irish tradition: St. Patrick's Day. Despite his prominence in Irish culture, historians know little about St. Patrick. Born in the 5th century as Maewyn Succat, Patrick wasn't Irish at all. He is believed to have been born in Wales, the son of a Roman-British official. His life took a dramatic turn when, as a teenager, he was captured by pirates and enslaved in Ireland. After six years in captivity, he escaped and returned to Britain. Patrick later made his way back to Ireland as a missionary, working to convert Irish pagans to Christianity. It was during this time that he adopted the Latin name Patricius. By the 10th century, evidence began to emerge of St. Patrick's growing popularity as a spiritual figure in Ireland. However, it wasn't until the early 17th century that his legacy was officially celebrated. Luke Wadding, an Irish priest, successfully lobbied the Catholic Church to designate March 17 as a feast day in St. Patrick's honour. In Ireland, the day was historically a solemn occasion, tied closely to religious observance. But outside the country, the day gradually transformed into a lively, cultural celebration, embraced by Irish immigrants and non-Irish revellers alike. Today, the tradition transcends its religious roots, marked by parades, extravagant festivities, and seas of people dressed in green – whether they have Irish heritage or not.
BBC News
30-01-2025
- General
- BBC News
Ancient British coins taken by Roman soldiers as 'spoils of war'
Imagine using a metal detector in a field, only to discover an extremely rare stash of coins. That's what happened to two people in the Netherlands, who found hundreds of ancient coins that were buried 2,000 years ago in the northern border region of the Roman Empire. The hoard contains 44 British coins that bear the name of British Celtic King Cunobelin, who reigned from around AD5 to AD40 in the south-east of Britain. It's believed they were taken by soldier as "spoils of war". There were also 360 Roman coins discovered, and it's the first time a Roman-British coin hoard of this kind has been found in mainland Europe. The coins were found in 2023 in a place called Bunnik, near the city of Utrecht in the Netherlands. After the find was reported, the hoard was examined by an archaeologist and professionally cleaned. A dig was carried out at the site to understand why they were buried there. What do we know about the Bunnik coins? The most recent of the Roman coins were made in the years 46-47, during the rein of the Emperor Claudius. It was during this time that Roman troops crossed the North Sea to conquer the land they called 'Britannia', or Great Britain as we now know it today. Experts believe the 44 British gold coins were probably brought to Bunnik after the first conquests by Roman soldiers. The coins are not pure gold, but were also mixed with silver and copper. There were 72 gold Roman coins and 288 silver coins, which are believed to have been the soldier's pay. There is not a clear reason why they were buried, but the National Museum of Antiquities in the Netherlands, where the coins are now kept, says: "They may have been hidden with the idea of digging them up later. "It could also be an offering, for example an expression of gratitude to the gods for a safe return from battle."
