Rare 2,000-Year-Old Roman Hoard Discovered In Suffolk

Archaeologists report a rare discovery of late Roman pewter plates, platters, bowls, and a cup that have been made in Euston, in the west of Suffolk, UK.

The remains of the vessels were buried in a pit and carefully stacked, suggesting that they were placed as a single group, possibly for safekeeping or an offering.

They have just gone on display at the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Museum, near Bury St Edmunds, until January 2024.

The hoard was discovered in Autumn 2022 by local metal detector user Martin White whilst taking part in an East of England Rally – an organized detecting event.

“I’ve been detecting for about 10 years, and this is the most high-profile find I’ve made so far, it was very exciting! We quickly consulted with the Archaeological Service so that the items could be removed and recorded without being damaged.

It was a privilege to be involved in the whole process, from discovery to excavation to seeing the finds go on display,” White said.

“It is amazing to think that this fragile hoard has survived thousands of years, and being discovered by Martin, that adds to the Suffolk story,” Councillor Melanie Vigo di Gallidoro, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Protected Landscapes and Archaeology said.

“This is a significant discovery. The larger plates and platters were used to allow food to be served communally and the octagonal bowls may have a Christian reference. Similar hoards are found across southern Britain, including from the nearby large Roman settlements at Icklingham and Hockwold,” Faye Minter, Suffolk County Council’s Archaeological Archives and Projects Manager, said in a press statement.

“We are very grateful for the kind donation of this hoard to West Stow Anglo-Saxon village and Museum and thrilled to be able to put it on display for local people to see. It adds a new strand to the story of our past in this area in the later Roman period – at a time just before the settlement at West Stow was beginning,” Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture at West Suffolk Council, which runs West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village said.