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Monday, 26th March 2007 (2109 views)

Artefacts and structures, including gold jewellery and coins dating back 2,000 years, have been unearthed by archaeologists working in the Kerala region of India.

Finding the treasures, which belonged to the ancient Romans and date back to the height of Indo-Roman trade relations, came as the team searched for the almost-mythical lost port of Muzuris.

In addition, P J Cherian, the director of the Kerala Council for Historical Research, revealed that the excavations had also found human remains, somewhat surprising given the climatic conditions and soil acidity of the region.

"The initial studies carried out in this region have amply indicated that there was a Roman presence," Mr Cherian has stated and hopes have been raised that the archaeologists are close to finding the location of the ancient port.

In 1993, a large number of gold Roman coins were found around six miles from the present excavation site, indicating that the area was once a hub of economic activity, including the trade of pepper, known as "black gold" by the ancients.

 

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