Culture

Ancient Coins Discovered on Beach

by liamssoft | July 12, 2007 at 08:51 am

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I can see myself speeding round the islands with my metal detector looking for Roman treasure. I am still hunting for the lost Bonnie Prince Charlie Gold in Whittlebury woods in Northamptonshire, England. Ha lol
Yes I would love to go to the islands, when I visit Scotland.

Many years ago I traveled as far north as John o' Groats and drove down the west coast, which is most interesting. I wish that I had taken a boat to your beautiful islands then. I thought about it but left it.

Around Gruinard Island I liked the rugged landscape, the cool blue water and the deep shades of green - peaceful isolation. I also enjoyed my stay in Inverness in a rural farm house. A very agreeable place with lovely farm produced meals and beautiful landscapes.

There are boat crossings from Berneray - Leverburgh, Oban - Lochboisdale, Uig - Lochmaddy, Mallaig, Ullapool and Idrigill to The Uists Islands, there is also an airport at Benbecula which is the easiest way.
All that fresh air. See you soon.

Ancient coins have been found on a beach in the Western Isles giving new clues to the far reaching influence of The Roman Empire.

Archaeologists believe the pieces of copper alloy date from the middle of the 4th Century.

They were found in a sand dune, but the location in the Uists has been kept secret to protect the Site.

Archaeologists said it was a "lucky find" as the coins were at risk of vanishing in a high tide.

Just seven other Roman coins have previously been found on the isles.

A Roman brooch and pieces of pottery have also been uncovered in the past.

Kate Macdonald, an archaeologist who has lived on the isles for three-and-a-half years, said the new find was exciting.

She said: "It is very unusual to find two coins very close together on a stretch of beach on The Western Isles.

"A whole seven others have been found - six of those on North Uist - which indicates something quite special was happening at that time."

'Well preserved'

Ms Macdonald is studying a PhD at the The University of Sheffield on the Iron Age, Scottish islands and Broch.

She said the coins dated from the Iron Age in Scottish terms, but in England would be considered to be from the late Roman period.

The isles were a "hub of development" throughout pre-history because travel was easier by sea than land at that time, said Ms Macdonald.

However, she said it was likely to always remain a mystery how the coins arrived on the islands.