Hoard of Roman silver returns home for centenary
● Haul considered to be the largest of its kind found outside the empire
The spectacular Traprain Law hoard of Roman silver will be taken back to its home to East Lothian to mark the 100 th anniversary of its discovery.
Around 23kg of silver was discovered by archaeologists at Traprain Law near Had - dington in May 1919 with the hoard still considered to be the largest of its kind found outside the Roman Empire.
Most of the objects are hacked-up pieces of table silver although Christian objects, articles from a lady’s dressing-table and pieces from an officer’s uniform were also found.
The pieces–some 250 in total – were buried around the mid-fifth century in the “dying days” of the Roman Empire.
The valuables are thought to have been earlier gifted by the Romans to a prominent figure in the surrounding Iron Age community of East Lothian as the occupying force sought to make connections and allies in Scotland.
Later, it is likely the treasure was buried for safekeeping – although never collected .
Now, a selection of pieces from the Trap rain Treasure, which is held by National Museum of Scotland, will go on show in Haddington , around five miles from where it was found, to mark the 100 th anniversary of its discovery.
Dr Fraser Hunter, Principal Curator of Iron Age and Roman collections at NMS, said: “The treasure can only really be described in superlatives. It is 23kg of silver and when you see it all together, it looks stunning
“We are delighted to be supporting its display in East Lothian, which is a fitting way to mark the centenary of its discovery”
The silver was likely given as a diplomatic gift, or payment for military assistance, to the leaders of Traprain Law as a way of buying their support.
Dr Hunter, author of The late Roman Silver treasure from Traprain Law, which is due out this summer, said the hoard was still revealing new insights 100 years after it was found.
Recent research has suggested that the hoard was deposited at Traprain Law over a period of around 100 years.
Dr Hunter said :“Our research is showing that the silver is coming onto the site over 100 years – it doesn’t turn up in one go. We know this by the style of the vessels, which changed over time.
“The treasure might have belonged to one family or leader. Material of that quality is likely to have belonged to a powerful person.”
The Traprain Law silver will go on show at the John Gray Centre, Haddington, on Saturday.