Journal Article

The Frome Hoard: Chemical and Lead Isotope Analysis of Three Silver-Alloy Denarii of Carausius

Moorhead, Sam, Ponting, Matthew, Minnitt, Steve

2022

Overview

The story of the discovery of the Frome hoard and the subsequent events has been covered in a growing number of publications and in the media and as a consequence the following is a just brief resume. The hoard was found by metal detectorist Dave Crisp on Apr 11, 2010. Two days before Mr Crisp had begun finding late 4th century silver siliquae from a scattered hoard (quite possibly additional coins from a hoard found in 1867). It was while searching for these that he had a doubtful response on his detector which under normal circumstances he would probably have ignored. However, in the circumstances he decided to investigate. In the process he recovered some sherds of Roman pottery and 3rd century radiates. It was clearly a hoard. He then made one of the hardest decisions in his life but one that was crucial in enabling maximum information to be obtained from the discovery. He left everything in situ, went back to his home in Wiltshire and reported the find to Katie Hinds, his then Finds Liaison Officer. Word was quickly passed to Somerset and an archaeological excavation was organized lasting three days.

• Publisher: Royal Numismatic Society
• Subject: Archaeology / Coins / Excavation / Roman civilization / Silver