Thought to be stashed during pirate attacks over 2,000 years ago, these coins date back to the Roman Republic (94-74 B.C.).
Archaeologists have found a trove of ancient silver coins that were apparently “hidden in a hole.” The discovery happened on a Mediterranean island near Sicily. The coins were possibly hidden due to a pirate attack more than 2000 years ago.
These coins were minted between 94 and 74 B.C. At that time, the region was ruled by Rome, which was a republic. As per the archaeologists, around 27 coins were discovered while excavating the Acropolis of Santa Teresa and San Marco on the island of Pantelleria. These are located around 70 miles to the southwest of Sicily, in the Sicilian Strait bounded by Sicily and Tunisia.
Archaeologists reveal insights into Roman history through coin discovery
Archaeologist Schäfer from the University of Tübingen made the discovery. A government website mentions that some coins that appeared in the earth were disturbed after the rains. The others were found under a boulder during the excavations and have already been cleaned and inventoried.
The experts note that this discovery offers insights into precious information for the reconstruction of events, and commercial contacts. Apart from this it also depicts political relations that marked the Mediterranean in the Republican age.
As per Schäfer, “We have been excavating for twenty-five years now in San Marco. It is a wonderful site, fortunately intact, it has never been touched over the centuries. It is the place that gave us back the “Comizio” where the decurions met: there are only five in all of Italy and this is the one in the best conditions.”
The researcher notes that this small treasure was hidden during one of the frequent pirate attacks during the periods mentioned. He added that in those years, the campaign of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus was underway in the Mediterranean. He fought and destroyed the imposing pirate fleets on behalf of the Roman Senate,.
Apart from this, there were frequent raids against the villages along the coast. On top of that the researcher even predicted that someone hid the nest egg when the ships arrived, without being able to recover it.
Ancient Italian coins offer a window into the country’s rich history
For the longest time, archaeologists have been studying the fascinating history of the ancient coins in Italy. Some of these coins would date back to the Etruscan civilization. And some of the earliest coins were inspired by Greek designs and featured images of gods, animals, and mythical creatures.
On the other hand history states that Roman coins, particularly those of the Republic and Empire, provide rich insights into political power, military victories, and imperial propaganda.
They would often depict iconic figures like Julius Caesar and Augustus. Additionally, these coins were used as tools to communicate messages to the public. These would be made of gold, silver, and bronze. The ancient Italian coins were not only a medium of exchange but also symbols of authority, artistry, and history.
Fast forward to today, these ancient coins are prized by historians and collectors alike for their intricate designs, craftsmanship, and the stories they tell about Italy’s rich and complex past.