An American archaeology student, Yara Souza, made an unforgettable discovery on her first-ever dig in the U.K. While excavating in Redesdale, Northumberland, she unveiled a stunning piece of 9th-century gold just 90 minutes into her work.
Yara, an international student from Orlando, Florida, was thrilled. “I couldn’t believe I’d found something so quickly,” she said. The rare find reminded her of Birdoswald Roman Fort, another dig she missed last year.
The university noted that this gold artifact, about 1.5 inches long and featuring an ornate finial, was buried near Dere Street, a critical Roman road connecting York and Edinburgh. Even after the Roman Empire declined, Dere Street remained a major route, eventually developing into today’s A68 highway.
The site was under investigation because a similar object had been found nearby in 2021. James Gerrard, an archaeology professor at Newcastle University, called the find “an exciting discovery of exceptional quality.” He highlighted that objects like these suggest that high-status individuals were using this route.
Gold in this period was a symbol of status, reserved for the elite. Experts believe both Yara’s find and the 2021 artifact could have had religious or ceremonial significance. “These items may have been deliberately buried,” Gerrard mentioned, hinting at their potential importance.
Recent surveys show a growing interest in archaeology among students, with participation in digs increasing by 20% over the last decade. This trend highlights a renewed fascination with history and cultural heritage.
Yara’s discovery will go through further analysis and might be displayed in a local museum, allowing others to appreciate the beauty and history of this artifact.
For more insights on archaeology and its significance, you can visit the Portable Antiquities Scheme or check out research from BBC News.
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Archaeologist, Florida, United Kingdom
