The East West Rail project has unearthed a rare glimpse into Roman Britain, revealing a nearly 2,000-year-old coin and other artifacts that have left archaeologists in awe.
The discoveries were made in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, as construction workers restore and build rail links between Oxford and Cambridge. Archaeologists are excavating trenches across southern England, uncovering remnants of ancient civilizations in the process.
One of the most significant finds was a coin dating back roughly 1,740 years, carrying the name of Roman Emperor Carausius, a naval commander who led a Roman fleet based in the English Channel. Pictures released show the coin in excellent condition after spending centuries underground.
According to Mike Court, historic environment lead at East West Rail, geophysical surveys often fail to detect finds like these, making them "unexpected" when they appear in the trenches. Despite this, Court expressed excitement at the discoveries, noting that over 1,000 trenches have yielded "really interesting results" so far.
The coin was discovered alongside evidence of Roman settlement and farming activity, rather than as an isolated find. Court explained that the fills of pits and ditches cut into the natural ground contain pottery, which helps date the features and the site.
The coin is particularly significant because it bears the name of Roman Emperor Carausius, providing valuable dating evidence for archaeologists. Court noted that the excavations have uncovered evidence spanning hundreds of years of history, with finds dating from the Iron Age through the Roman period.
As the project continues, archaeologists expect to uncover many more significant discoveries along the route. With plans to dig around 6,000 trenches, Court is confident that the team will uncover "additional major sites" over the next two years of the trenching program.
The artifacts provide a rare, tangible link to the people who lived at the site millennia ago. Each coin, like the one discovered, was once carried by an individual living in Roman Britain, giving archaeologists a glimpse into the lives of those who came before us.
