Roman and medieval discoveries are ‘treasure’
TWO rare items of jewellery found in the Midlands – one Roman, the other medieval – have been declared treasure by a coroner.
The Roman gold amulet case was discovered by metal dectorist Laura Woods while combing land in Condover, near Shrewsbury.
At last week’s treasure inquest, coroner John Ellery heard it was only the second Roman amulet case to be discovered in Shropshire.
It is incomplete – a decorative piece of glass or stone is missing – and has been squashed flat.
But unusually, the case has been decorated with moulded “ribs”.
In his report to the hearing, British Museum curator Richard Hobbs said X-ray florescent tests, carried out by Liverpool University specialists, showed the piece was 89 per cent gold with traces of silver and copper. It was crafted in the 3rd or 4th Century AD. Mr Hobbs said there had been a number of similar finds in this country.
The true historical significance of the medieval finger ring, discovered near Craven Arms, Shropshire, could easily be overlooked.
Thankfully, Mark Davies, who uncovered the plain, thin silver band with his metal detector, knew he’d uncovered something special.
Made in the early 15th century, the ‘devotional ring’ bears a written dedication to the Virgin Mary.
It would have originally been inlaid with silver oxide, giving the ring a black colour.
Peter Reavill, of the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme which records public finds, said: “A gold ring of the same form with an
identical inscription was recovered during an emergency excavation in 1984 following the discovery of human remains while laying a gas pipe at the Austin Friary in Shrewsbury.
“Several inhumation burials, where the last resting place is a simple pit, were disturbed and subsequently excavated. These included the grave of a young lady whose ring was in situ on her finger.”
Both the case and ring will be displayed in museums.
Having been declared treasure, the items will now be valued.