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Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Metal detectorist finds two Roman swords — then ancient settlement uncovered
From the first coin discovered in an ancient hoard to the first stone of a medieval wall, many major archaeological discoveries stem from one initial find. In the United Kingdom, a recent catalyst of discovery came in the form of two centuries-old weapons discovered by a metal detectorist. Glenn Manning was only on his second metal detecting search ever when his machine pinged on two Roman-era swords in the spring of 2023 in Willersey, according to a July 4 news release from Historic England and an interview with The Guardian. The swords were donated to the Corinium Museum, and X-rays were later taken of the weapons to see past the degradation, according to Historic England. The swords still had traces of their scabbards, or cases, but had been severely damaged over time, officials said. 'The X-rays clearly show that the swords were constructed differently: one has evidence of decorative pattern welding running down the (center), whereas the other sword is plain,' Historic England said. 'The pattern-welded sword would have been more expensive to produce and therefore higher status.' The swords themselves were a significant find, but their discovery sparked interest in searching the area for any other Roman items, officials said. Instead, archaeologists found an entire settlement. At least three, and possibly more, Iron Age ring ditches reaching about 60 feet across were unearthed, as well as a large rectangular enclosure, according to Historic England. Archaeologists also found 'possible evidence of a Roman villa, which may also have a pair of flanking wings, one at either end of a central range,' according to the release. Roman building materials like ceramic roofing tiles, box flue tiles and painted plaster were also found at the site, archaeologists said. Finding the swords, and therefore the settlement, was like the 'stars aligning,' Cotswold Archaeology project officer Peter Busby, told The Guardian. Busby said the swords had been damaged by farm machinery and likely would have been destroyed if they weren't identified during the metal detecting search. 'It was phenomenally lucky,' Busby told the outlet. 'The swords were within half an inch, no more than an inch, of oblivion.' The swords are believed to be 'spatha' or long swords used by horse-riding Romans in the second and third centuries and date to about the same time as the suspected villa, according to Historic England. The swords may have been intentionally buried in the courtyard or garden near the villa to protect them from being stolen by the Saxons who were moving through the region, officials told The Guardian. Along with the Roman items, archaeologists also uncovered an older Iron Age burial with an iron arm band and a horse skull in a nearby pit, as well as an arm and hand found in a different trench, according to Historic England. The human remains were dated to between 800 and 100 B.C., according to The Guardian. A final report is still to come from archaeologists, and more work is needed to confirm the Roman villa and understand why it might have been built at an Iron Age site, officials said. 'I am very proud of how much our team of volunteers, professional archaeologists and metal detectorists achieved in 15 days, despite the heavy January rain,' Busby said in the release. 'We turned a ploughed field, the swords and geophysical anomalies into the story of a settlement spanning hundreds of years — the first stage in telling the history of these fields and their cavalry swords.' Willersey is in south-central England, about a 95-mile drive northwest from London.
Observer
08-07-2025
- Science
- Observer
Iron Age Roman settlement uncovered in UK after rare sword find
Archaeologists have uncovered a rare Iron Age Roman settlement following the discovery of two Roman cavalry swords near a Cotswolds village. The excavation, prompted by geophysical surveys, suggests the site may include a Roman villa. The swords, found during a metal-detecting rally two years ago by Glenn Manning, were later donated to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester. Manning described the find as "amazing," sharing that he had a feeling something special would be uncovered the day before. The swords, likely used by Roman cavalry from the early second to third century AD, are known as spatha and are associated with mounted soldiers. Historic England's surveys revealed potential prehistoric and Romano-British remains, including three or four Iron Age ring ditches, a large rectangular enclosure, and Roman limestone structures possibly forming a villa. Further excavations this year uncovered settlement evidence spanning several centuries, emphasizing the area's historical significance. More archaeological work is planned, and authorities may recommend the site be protected as a scheduled monument. The discovery offers insights into the transition from Iron Age to Roman Britain, particularly during the tumultuous period of Roman conquest. Ian Barnes of Historic England noted the importance of these findings for understanding settlement patterns in Gloucestershire. Peter Busby of Cotswold Archaeology praised the efforts of volunteers and professionals, noting how they transformed a ploughed field into a story of a multi-century settlement. Emma Stuart, director of the Corinium Museum, highlighted the significance of the rare weapons, enriching the story of Roman life in the Cotswolds. The swords will be on display at the museum from August 2. —dpa
Euronews
04-07-2025
- Science
- Euronews
Rare sword find leads to discovery of Roman-era settlement in England
What began as an extremely rare discovery of two Roman swords by a metal detectorist has led to an enormous Early-Middle Iron Age find in the Cotswolds in south-west England. Archaeological excavations at the site in Gloucestershire have revealed an extensive Roman era settlement from the first and second centuries. The site near Willersey, funded by Historic England and directed jointly with Cotswold Archaeology, suggests possible evidence of a Roman villa, which may also have a pair of flanking wings, one at either end of a central range. Once Historic England has the final report on the archaeological work, it will be able to consider whether to recommend to the UK government that the site be protected as a scheduled monument. Iron Roman cavalry swords The dig follows the discovery of two iron Roman cavalry swords, possibly displaying traces of their scabbards, during a metal detecting rally in the north of the Cotswolds in March 2023. The swords were originally reported to and identified by the Portable Antiquities Scheme, who arranged with the finder, metal detectorist Glenn Manning, and the landowner for them to be donated to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester. The swords were X-rayed at Historic England's science facility at Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth. Analysis of the weapons reveals they were constructed differently: one has evidence of decorative pattern welding running down the centre, whereas the other sword is plain. The pattern-welded sword would have been more expensive to produce and therefore higher status. The swords will be available for the public to see at the Corinium Museum from 2 August. Although historically important, at the time of discovery they were not protected by laws such as the 1996 Treasure Act as no gold or silver were discovered within the assemblage that contained the two iron swords, several copper alloy scabbard fittings and strap fittings and a fragmentary copper alloy bowl. It is believed these long swords or 'spatha' were used by the Romans on horseback from early in the second century AD through to the third century AD. They are contemporary with the villa. How they came to be there though, is currently unknown.
ITV News
04-07-2025
- Science
- ITV News
Iron Age Roman settlement uncovered after rare sword find
An Iron Age Roman settlement has been discovered following a rare sword find, archaeologists have excavation near Willersey, Gloucestershire, has revealed what could be evidence of a Roman villa, marking a remarkable archaeological find that spans several centuries of British investigation began two years ago when metal detectorist, Glenn Manning, made an extraordinary discovery during a metal detecting rally. Glenn Manning, who was only on his second detecting expedition, uncovered two iron Roman cavalry said" 'Finding two swords in the same spot was amazing, the morning before the rally, I had a feeling I would find something special. I'm excited to find out more about them.' The swords were donated to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester, where they will form part of the museum's collection. Following the sword discovery, Historic England conducted geophysical surveys of the area, which revealed the possibility of extensive prehistoric and Roman remains. The subsequent excavations, carried out earlier this year, uncovered evidence of settlements spanning several centuries. The archaeological team discovered three or four Iron Age ring ditches, a substantial rectangular enclosure, and the remains of Roman limestone buildings, which could constitute a villa. Ian Barnes, senior archaeologist at Historic England, explained the significance of the find: 'This excavation provides valuable insights into the nature of settlement patterns from the Early Iron Age through to the Roman period in Gloucestershire. "This new evidence will help us to understand more about what happened around the period of the Roman Conquest, which must have been a tumultuous time.' The long swords, known as 'spatha,' were used by Roman cavalry from the early second century AD through to the third century AD. These weapons are contemporary with the villa, though archaeologists remain uncertain about how they came to be at the site. Peter Busby from Cotswold Archaeology praised the collaborative effort: 'I am very proud of how much our team of volunteers, professional archaeologists, and metal detectorists achieved in 15 days, despite the heavy January rain. "We turned a ploughed field, the swords, and geophysical anomalies into the story of a settlement spanning hundreds of years – the first stage in telling the history of these fields and their cavalry swords.'Further archaeological work is required before Historic England can make recommendations to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regarding the site's protection as a scheduled Roman cavalry swords will be on display for public viewing at the Corinium Museum from 2nd August, offering visitors the opportunity to see these extraordinary artefacts that have unlocked centuries of local history.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Ancient Roman settlement uncovered after rare swords found near Cotswolds village
An Iron Age Roman settlement has been discovered after a metal detectorist found two rare swords near a Cotswolds village. Archaeologists said their excavation had uncovered what could be evidence of a Roman villa. It follows the discovery of two iron Roman cavalry swords, possibly displaying traces of their scabbards, during a metal detecting rally near Willersey two years ago. Found by metal detectorist Glenn Manning, the swords were later donated to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester. Mr Manning said: "Finding two swords in the same spot was amazing. "The morning before the rally, I had a feeling I would find something special. "This was only my second time metal detecting. I'm excited to find out more about them." Historic England then carried out geophysical surveys of the area where the swords were found, which revealed the possibility of extensive prehistoric, and Romano-British remains. Evidence of settlements spanning several centuries was then found during excavations earlier this year. These include three or four Iron Age ring ditches, a substantial rectangular enclosure, and remains of Roman limestone buildings, which could be a winged villa. Following more archaeological work, Historic England could then recommend to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) that the site be protected as a scheduled monument. It is believed the long swords or "spatha" were used by the Romans on horseback from early in the second century AD through to the third century AD. They are contemporary with the villa, but it is not known how they came to be there. Ian Barnes, senior archaeologist at Historic England, said: "This excavation provides valuable insights into the nature of settlement patterns from the Early Iron Age through to the Roman period in Gloucestershire. "This new evidence will help us to understand more about what happened around the period of the Roman Conquest, which must have been a tumultuous time." Peter Busby, from Cotswold Archaeology, said: "I am very proud of how much our team of volunteers, professional archaeologists, and metal detectorists achieved in 15 days, despite the heavy January rain. "We turned a ploughed field, the swords, and geophysical anomalies into the story of a settlement spanning hundreds of years - the first stage in telling the history of these fields and their cavalry swords." Read more: Emma Stuart, director of the Corinium Museum, added: "It's a privilege to acquire such rare artefacts. "This valuable addition of Roman weaponry at the museum broadens the story of life in the Cotswolds during the mid to late Roman period." The swords will be on display for public viewing at the Corinium Museum from 2 August.
