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January Round-Up
It was an eventful start to 2025 in the world of archaeology!
Read on for some headlines that caught my eye this month...
1.) New discovery in Pompeii.
So far, approximately two-thirds of Pompeii has been excavated. This means that a large amount has yet to be uncovered and archaeologists are constantly unearthing new finds. This month, it was revealed that an impressive bathhouse has been discovered.
A Roman bathhouse could be compared to our modern day spa-complexes. It contained a hot room (caldarium), a cold room (frigidarium), and a plunge pool. Intricate frescoes featuring scenes of athletes decorated the walls.
This bathhouse is uncommon as it was located in a private residence- bathhouses were generally public facilities. It is thought that this complex may have been owned by a wealthy politician.
2.) Coin hoard found in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is rich in Roman archaeology. In 2021, it received UNESCO World Heritage Status for its "Roman Limes", a series of military fortifications found along the river Rhine.
Recently, a substantial hoard of Roman coins was found in a field near the Dutch city of Utrecht. The find consisted of a total of 404 coins, including gold aurei and silver denarii. To provide some context, this is roughly the equivalent of 11 years wages for a Roman soldier.
The coins date to between 200 BC and 47 AD.
It is thought that some of the coins come from Roman Britain. This is because they bear an inscription with the name "Cunobelinus" a British tribal king who ruled between 5 and 40AD.
3.) Warrior cemetery uncovered in Germany.
In the province of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, archaeologists have discovered a warrior cemetery dating back 4500 years.
Three well-preserved burials from the Bell-Beaker culture (so-called after the distinctive pottery produced at the time) were found under a common burial mound. Finds included a stone arm guard, arrowheads and a bell-shaped ceramic vessel containing food remains.
The arm guard is thought to be suggestive of a hunter or warrior as it was used to protect the wearer from possible bruising by using a bowstring.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c15zgvnvk4do