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2,000-Year-Old Treasure Hoard Is Largest Roman Haul Ever | Digging For Britain | Unearthed History

Unearthed History - Archaeology Documentaries・42 minutes read

Archaeologists made significant discoveries in Britain in 2016, showcasing Roman, Dark Age, and World War I artifacts, including a 2,000-year-old treasure hoard, a Dark Age Palace linked to King Arthur, and extensive military training trenches. These excavations shed light on historical practices and reveal the care our ancestors had for their children and rituals, challenging previous views of the era.

Insights

  • Ground-penetrating radar uncovers pits with Neolithic axes and chalk balls, suggesting a significant religious site at the double henge.
  • Extensive training efforts in recreated German trenches on Salisbury Plain during World War I, including machine gun positions, shelters, and counterattack preparations, altered perceptions of soldiers' preparedness and battlefield conditions.

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Recent questions

  • What are some significant archaeological discoveries in Britain?

    Excavations in Britain have revealed a 2,000-year-old treasure hoard in Jersey, a Dark Age Palace linked to King Arthur in Tintagel, and hidden World War I trenches on Salisbury Plain. Stonehenge's East side also unveiled a double henge, while ground-penetrating radar uncovered Neolithic axes and chalk balls in pits. These discoveries shed light on various historical periods and events in Britain's past.

  • How were soldiers trained during World War I?

    Soldiers in World War I underwent extensive training efforts, as evidenced by recreated German trenches on Salisbury Plain. The trenches featured machine gun positions, barbed wire, firing steps, shelters, seating arrangements, and latrines. Soldiers were prepared for battle simulations, including counterattack preparations against German forces. Artifacts like condensed milk tins and sardine tins in practice trenches reflect soldiers' morale and daily life during training.

  • What insights do Dark Age burials near Merlin's cave provide?

    Dark Age burials near Merlin's cave in Herford offer insights into burial practices and traditions of the time. The burials, dating back to the 7th century AD, include human remains with evidence of infant burials and a unique funerary ritual. The presence of prehistoric bones alongside Christian burial traditions suggests a mix of cultural influences during the Dark Ages, shedding light on the period's political and religious changes.

  • What was discovered at the Thornbury horde excavation site?

    The Thornbury horde excavation site yielded a collection of 11,460 Roman coins, reflecting the history and decline of the Roman Empire. The discovery of the Roman coins provides valuable insights into the economic and political landscape of the time, offering a glimpse into the currency circulation and historical context of the Roman era.

  • How did the Dark Age settlement at Tintagel challenge previous views?

    The discovery of a wealthy and sophisticated Dark Age settlement at Tintagel challenged previous views of the era. High-quality foreign goods found at the site suggest a prosperous community with extensive trading connections. The careful placement of Quartz Pebbles on infant graves, indicating a significant level of care in the burial process, challenges the notion that Dark-Age parents did not care for their children. These archaeological findings reshape our understanding of historical practices and reveal the depth of care our ancestors had for their rituals and traditions.

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Summary

00:00

"Archaeologists Uncover Britain's Past Treasures"

  • Every year, hundreds of archaeologists search for clues to Britain's past.
  • In 2016, archaeologists made exciting discoveries in the West.
  • "Digging for Britain" showcases these discoveries, filmed by the archaeologists themselves.
  • Excavations reveal pottery, metalwork, and human remains.
  • In Jersey, a 2,000-year-old treasure hoard sheds light on the Roman Invasion.
  • Tintagel, Cornwall uncovers a Dark Age Palace linked to King Arthur.
  • Salisbury Plain reveals hidden trenches from World War I.
  • Stonehenge's East side reveals a double henge, unique and significant.
  • Ground-penetrating radar uncovers pits with Neolithic axes and chalk balls.
  • Ritual feasting and offerings at the double henge suggest a religious site.
  • Stone tools and pottery suggest the double henge's use during the same period as Stonehenge.
  • Salisbury Plain's military training ground reveals recreated German trenches from World War I.
  • Evidence of machine gun positions, barbed wire, and firing steps indicate comprehensive training.
  • Shelters, seating arrangements, and latrines show the trenches were actively used for training.
  • Evidence of counterattack preparations against German forces is discovered in the trenches.
  • Excavations provide insights into how soldiers were trained to continue the battle after capturing the German trenches.

19:41

Training and Discoveries in Historical Battlefields

  • Major battle simulations were conducted, uncovering an extensive network of trenches, shelters, and machine gun positions.
  • Soldiers experienced a faithful recreation of battlefield conditions, utilizing high ground and vast training landscapes.
  • Richard's discovery of extensive training efforts changes perceptions of soldiers' preparedness in World War I.
  • Artifacts like condensed milk tins and sardine tins in practice trenches highlight soldiers' morale and daily life.
  • Soldiers left behind carvings and artifacts, revealing their presence and training experiences.
  • Soldiers trained extensively for the Battle of the Somme, with the Liverpool Pals achieving initial success.
  • Despite thorough training, casualties among the Liverpool Pals quickly mounted after their initial success.
  • The Thornbury horde, a collection of 11,460 Roman coins, was discovered during a fish pond excavation.
  • The Roman coins in the Thornbury horde reflect the history and decline of the Roman Empire.
  • A burial site near Merlin's cave in Herford revealed Dark Age skeletons from the 7th century AD, linked to earlier Neolithic burials, raising questions about their connection and purpose.

37:15

Dark Age Burials Uncover Unique Funerary Ritual

  • Further investigations are conducted to determine the extent of burial activity, questioning if it's a small cemetery or just two burials.
  • A trench is dug near the two initial burials, leading to the discovery of a human bone, indicating a larger burial area.
  • Various human remains are found, including a human tooth, a thigh bone of a newborn child, and evidence of infant burials.
  • Analysis reveals these burials date back to the Dark Age Community, with a unique funerary ritual uncovered.
  • Bones from inside the cave are found alongside the burials, linking the cave to the burial ground.
  • A man buried with animal bones is discovered, suggesting a special connection to the cave contents.
  • The burials follow a Christian tradition but include prehistoric bones, indicating a mix of traditions.
  • The Dark Ages were marked by political and religious changes, with native Welsh adapting to Christianity.
  • Archaeologists uncover a wealthy and sophisticated Dark Age settlement at Tintagel, challenging previous views of the era.
  • The discovery of high-quality foreign goods suggests a prosperous community with vast trading connections.

55:55

Ancient Pebbles on Infant Graves Challenge Assumptions

  • Quartz Pebbles were found carefully placed on infant graves, with one grave having over 100 densely packed Pebbles, indicating a significant level of care in the burial process.
  • The presence of these Pebbles on children's graves, a tradition possibly stemming from biblical references and later medieval practices, challenges the notion that Dark-Age parents did not care for their children, highlighting the care invested in burying even the youngest members of the population. Archaeological discoveries like these reshape our understanding of historical practices and reveal the depth of care our ancestors had for their children and their rituals.
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