Pagan Eye: Mysterious Romano British Coin Hoard

This Romano British pot and coin hoard are on display at Living on the Edge: 8,000 Years by the Sea – an exhibition of archaeological finds that’s on in Eastbourne, East Sussex, at the moment.

The vessel and coins were buried about 275AD and the mystery surrounding them is, why were they buried? Although some coin hoards were hidden for safekeeping, but never recovered by their owners because war killed them or drove them away, this one was buried at a time when the area was relatively peaceful. The owner would have had ample opportunity to collect their belongings later on.

One possibility, according to the description at the exhibition, is that the coins were left as an offering for Gods or local spirits. In England, there was an ancient tradition of sacrificing valuables by burying them in the earth or throwing them in water to ask for divine favours. It is possible that the practice continued through Roman times.

Living on the Edge is on at Eatbourne Pavilion. The description of the exhibition says:

Discover the stories of life along the Seven Sisters over the past 8,000 years. From Stone Age settlers and Roman farms to Victorian coastguards guarding the coast. For some, this was their first glimpse of Britain. For others leaving this coast as soldiers, it would be their last memory of home. Find out how the National Trust’s Seven Sisters Archaeology Project with its team of volunteers have preserved these stories for the future.

You can find out more here: http://www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk/Latest-Exhibitions.aspx

My Pagan Eye posts show photos that I find interesting – seasonal images, pagan sites, events, or just pretty pictures. If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to [email protected] Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/08/sussex-folklore-twin-to-wishing-face.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/04/pagan-eye-seven-sisters-from-cuckmere.html
http://www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk/Latest-Exhibitions.aspx
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/07/wildlife-walks-through-sussexs-pagan.html

To read more posts like this visit A Bad Witch’s Blog at www.badwitch.co.uk