Hidden from the Romans: 200 tons of silver on the shores of the river Lahn

EurekAlert! ^ | February 21, 2023 | Goethe University

[SunkenCiv]

When Prof. Markus Scholz, who teaches archaeology and the history of Roman provinces at Goethe University, returned to Bad Ems toward the end of the excavation work, he was astonished: After all, all the photos sent by his colleague Frederic Auth showed but a few pieces of wood. Not surprisingly, Scholz was ill-prepared for what he saw next: a wooden defense construction consisting of sharpened wooden stakes, designed to prevent the enemy’s approach. The martial-looking structure was intended to deter enemies from attacking the camp. Such installations – comparable, if you will, to modern barbed wire – are referenced to in literature from the time. Caesar, for instance, mentioned them. But to date, none had been found. The damp soil of the Blöskopf area obviously provided the ideal conditions: The wooden spikes, which probably extended throughout the entire downward tapering ditch around the camp, were found to be well preserved...

Archaeologists have found a possible clue in the writings of historian Tacitus: He describes how, under Roman governor Curtius Rufus, attempts to mine silver ore in the area failed in 47 AD. The yield had simply been too low. In fact, the team of Frankfurt archaeologists was able to identify a shaft-tunnel system suggesting Roman origins. The tunnel is located a few meters above the Bad Ems passageway, which would have enabled the Romans to mine silver for up to 200 years – that is, if only they had known about it. In the end, the silver was mined in later centuries only.

[SunkenCiv]

• Map

[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

[algore]

so the Silver Surveyor Maxwellus Smart

Missed it by that much.

[marktwain]

The silver was not just sitting there, waiting to be carted off.

It had to be mined and smelted first.

[CFW]

So THAT’s where I left it. I’m always misplacing something. My glasses, my keys, my phone, my silver.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Back in the 1500 Spain dumped tons of platinum in the ocean because they thought it was worthless but were concerned that someone would try to pass if off as "pale gold".

I wonder if anyone ever looked for it?

And Spain would undoubtedly try to claim it but since rather then losing it they threw it away would they have any case?

[SunkenCiv]

It’s probably a myth.

https://www.quora.com/What-happened-to-the-massive-supply-of-platinum-that-Spain-dumped-into-the-sea-years-ago-Is-it-still-there-or-has-it-been-taken-back-out-yet

It took arsenic (which was something the sculptors needed to avoid inhaling) to make the platinum metals (I think there are four, usually found together) workable for metalsmiths, beginning in the 18th century.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/205701

[SunkenCiv]

Looks like they were masters of Lahn care, all those centuries ago.

[algore]

‘Back in the 1500 Spain dumped tons of platinum in the ocean because they thought it was worthless ‘

Lots of people claim to have had boating accidents

[ComputerGuy]

Take the rest of the night off ;)

[Red Badger]

That’s not Baden Baden................

[SunkenCiv]

That was an old favorite of my grandma, “Baden Baden who’s got the Baden”.

[SunkenCiv]

[’Civ enjoys a tickertape parade] :^)

[ComputerGuy]

Tickertape? I thought they were rolls of TP.

[Red Badger]

That’s Guden Guden................

[SunkenCiv]

“Hmm, Charmin? WT.. aw, can’t ya even take it out of the package first?”

[SunkenCiv]

The Roman Yarmy...