A collection of 27 ancient silver coins, dating back over 2,000 years to the Roman Republic, has been unearthed on the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria, offering a valuable glimpse into the era, CBS News reports.
The coins, known as denarii, were discovered by archaeologists during restoration work on the Acropolis of Santa Teresa and San Marco, a historic landmark on the island. The treasure trove, hidden in a hole in a wall, is estimated to date back to between 94 B.C. and 74 B.C.
The discovery was made by a team led by Thomas Schäfer from the University of Tübingen in Germany, who initially spotted some coins in loosened soil after a period of rain. Further excavation revealed the rest of the haul.
The denarii, the main silver coins used in ancient Rome, provide insight into the Roman Republic, its structure, and the political and commercial landscape of the Mediterranean during that period.
This latest find follows the discovery of a similar trove of Roman silver coins at the same site in 2010, which included 107 coins. Previous excavations in the area also unearthed three marble sculptures depicting Roman emperors Julius Caesar, Titus Flavius Vespasian, and Empress Agrippina, currently displayed in museums in Palermo and London.
Schäfer suggests that the coins might have been hidden intentionally during a pirate invasion, a common occurrence in ancient times. The archaeologist believes the treasure was likely buried and never recovered due to the acropolis remaining untouched for centuries.
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