In a new series of Podcasts, History In Our Hands, Michael explores times past and some of the exciting discoveries that have been made. 

Please visit again soon for more information on the release date for this Podcast series.

Podcast

Recorded as part of the 'A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects' exhibition for Northampton Museum & Art Gallery.

Series presenter John Griff talks with Michael Curtis about the hoard.

Around 1,900 Roman coins were discovered fused together in a single corroded lump, still nestled within the broken remains of a black pot and a shelly bowl—the very containers they were buried in.  It's likely that ploughing over the years disturbed the pot, causing the coins to spill out and stick together over time.

This fascinating find was uncovered in 1999 at a previously unknown Roman villa in Wootton Fields, Northampton, during groundworks for a new housing development.

Hoards like this one are collections of buried objects—often coins or valuables—hidden away for safekeeping.  They can vary in size and content, and many were buried with the hope of being retrieved later.  Perhaps this hoard was hidden to keep it safe, but its owner never returned—maybe they passed away or simply forgot where it was buried!

Photo: Northampton Museum & Art Gallery.