Image Credit : Södertörn University
Posted on 04/17/2023 7:36:35 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists From Södertörn University Have Discovered Two Roman Coins During a Research Project on Gotska Sandön, an Uninhabited Island in Gotland County, Sweden.
During the Roman Period, Svealand ("land of the Swedes") in central Sweden, was inhabited by a North Germanic tribe. Contact with the Romans was limited, however, archaeological evidence does indicate an emerging trading network in Svealand for the latest Roman fashions.
Archaeologists from the Södertörn University have been conducting excavations on Gotska Sandön as part of a joint project with Campus Gotland and the Gotland Museum.
Excavations revealed silver denarii from the Roman period, including one that depicts the emperor Trajan (AD 98 – 117), and the other, emperor Antoninus Pius (AD 86 – 161).
"These are exciting finds that raise several questions," says Johan Rönnby, professor of marine archaeology at Södertörn University.
Although the Romans sailed as far as Scotland and documented the Baltic area, there are no historical records of their voyages that describes the island, making it uncertain whether they were the ones who brought the coins there.
The team suggests that the coins could be from a shipwreck on the Sandön coast, where many hearths and remnants of ancient fireplaces have been located. Whether the hearths are associated with a period of settlement on the island or ancient production of seal oil is unknown, but the team plans to return later in the year to investigate further.
"Finds of Roman silver coins are not unusual on Gotland, but they are on Gotska Sandön. This find is interesting because of its location," adds Daniel Langhammer, officer at the County Administrative Board of Gotland.
(Excerpt) Read more at heritagedaily.com ...
for later:
Trade is a natural part of the market-place. And the market-place is one of the three basic components of every human society.
Beautiful.
That’s where I left them.
Yeah, most likely this was trade with the tribes on the border, who traded them with others.
An uninhabited island? It must be a poor spot indeed, since no one chooses to live there!
The Romans have been everywhere, man
The Romans have been everywhere, man
They Crossed the deserts bare, man
They breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel they’ve had my share, man
They’ve been everywhere
Johnny Cassius?.........................
LOL
Ya couldn’t pay me to live on a Baltic Island, OTOH, we have snow on the ground these past two days, after a beautiful week of our pending Spring. :^)
Those look pretty well worn. Could have been used for 100 years before they were deposited there.
I wonder if there’s any remnant of ancient human DNA on either of them?
Johnny Cassius?.........................
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“Well played.” 👍
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