In a discovery that seems straight out of an archaeological thriller, a trove of gold Celtic coins dating back 2,000 years has been unearthed, hidden within the confines of… cow bones! This astonishing find, dubbed the “Sedgeford Hoard,” after the village where it was discovered, has captivated both researchers and enthusiasts alike.
A treasure of Celtic gold coins found in a cow bone!
The story behind this remarkable find traces back to 2003 when a team of archaeologists, scouring an Iron Age site near Sedgeford, close to Hunstanton, stumbled upon something truly extraordinary. Among the artifacts unearthed, they found a cow bone, seemingly unassuming at first glance. However, upon closer inspection and subsequent X-rays, the bone revealed its secret treasure.
X-ray showing coins hidden in bone, photo: The British Museum (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The man behind the X-ray request, none other than amateur archaeologist Chris Mackie, director of the Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project (SHARP), couldn’t contain his excitement. “We had already found some loose coins, and when we found the bone in the same area and then saw the mud and metal that filled it, our hopes were pretty high,” Mackie revealed.
Celtic gold coins and bone fragments where they were discovered, photo by British Museum (CC BY-SA 2.0)
But it was the X-ray image that truly stunned Mackie and his team. “When Heather showed me the X-ray, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a huge find and firmly placed the village of Sedgeford on the archaeological map,” Mackie remarked.
Celtic gold staters deposited in bone, photo by The British Museum (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The X-ray revealed over 20 coins nestled snugly within the animal bone, with an additional 19 found in its immediate vicinity. These Celtic gold staters, each adorned with a striking horse motif characteristic of Celtic artistry, are believed to have been minted in northern France between 60 and 50 BC. The pristine condition of the coins suggests they were swiftly buried shortly after minting.
Emerald-encrusted cross from the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Photo: The Rosen Group
The discovery sheds new light on ancient trade and military movements, suggesting that these coins may have been brought to Britain by soldiers or mercenaries returning home. This find not only enriches our understanding of ancient economic networks but also adds a fascinating chapter to the history of the region.
The Sedgeford Hoard has garnered international attention, with experts eagerly delving into its significance and implications. As the coins continue to be studied, they offer a tantalizing glimpse into the lives and interactions of people from a bygone era, leaving archaeologists and historians alike eager for more discoveries to come.