A late Roman coin hoard from the County Hospital site, Dorchester

A Late Roman Coin Hoard from Dorchester

Nicholas Cooke

This study examines a recently discovered Late Roman coin hoard found at the County Hospital site in Dorchester, England. The coins were scattered within the demolition rubble of a Late Roman building likely built in the late 3rd or 4th century AD.  The composition of this hoard largely mirrors that of another hoard discovered during earlier excavations nearby. Both hoards offer insights into economic activity in the waning years of Roman rule in Dorchester.

Introduction

Ongoing excavations at the County Hospital site in Dorchester have yielded numerous Roman period finds, including a well-preserved mosaic. Of significant interest is a dispersed coin hoard found within a demolished Late Roman structure. This hoard, primarily composed of bronze coins from the House of Theodosius (388-402 AD), is suggestive of a deposition date in the early 5th century.

Context and Comparisons

The discovery is particularly intriguing due to its proximity to a similar hoard recovered during 1969-70 excavations in the same area. Both hoards were associated with the rubble of late Roman buildings, likely industrial in nature. While the two hoards share similarities, there are differences in their composition, potentially indicating slightly different deposition dates. Additionally, a third late Roman hoard, containing silver coins and silverware, was previously discovered near the site.

Significance

These hoards provide crucial evidence of continuing economic activity in Dorchester well into the 5th century.  The fact that all three hoards went unrecovered is curious. The bronze hoards may suggest a dwindling utility of such coinage, while the silver hoard's loss may have different causes. Along with other late-period artifacts, these finds suggest a significant transformation in the character of Dorchester during the late Roman period. While urban life may have declined, the area continued to see activity, perhaps with a shift toward an agricultural or semi-rural function.

Conclusion

The Dorchester coin hoards, in conjunction with associated finds, offer valuable glimpses into the complex and changing nature of Late Roman Britain beyond the oft-cited date of 410 AD. Further research is needed to shed more light on life in this region after the official Roman withdrawal.

Second Article:

A Late Roman Coin Hoard from the County Hospital Site, Dorchester

Author: Nicholas Cooke

Summary

Archaeologists in Dorchester, England, have discovered two late Roman coin hoards buried in the rubble of demolished buildings.

The hoards suggest continued activity and coin use in Dorchester into the early 5th century, even as urban life in the area was declining.

Background

Dorchester was a Roman town called Durnovaria.

Previous excavations in the same area found Roman buildings and a coin hoard.

Recent Excavations

Archaeologists unearthed two late Roman buildings: one with ovens, possibly industrial; the other an aisled building, possibly agricultural.

Both buildings show evidence of use into the late 4th or early 5th century.

A dispersed coin hoard was found in the rubble of the aisled building.

Coin Hoard Analysis

The coin hoard primarily contains bronze coins from the House of Theodosius (AD 388-402).

It likely dates to the early 5th century, though it's unclear exactly when it was buried.

This hoard is compared to a similar, earlier hoard found nearby.

Other Discoveries

A hoard of silver coins and spoons from the same period has also been found in Dorchester.

Late Roman belt fittings hint at the presence of Roman officials in the area.

Conclusions

Dorchester witnessed continued activity well after the official Roman withdrawal of 410 AD.

Buildings from this period may represent an 'intra-mural urban farmstead', a sign of the changing nature of settlement.

Coin hoards point to ongoing economic activity, but their non-recovery also suggests a decline of central currency.