Wednesday, 14th May 2008 (230 views)

Gold jewellery dating back to 390AD has returned "home" to the place where it was discovered for a new exhibition, according to reports.

Newspaper the Thetford and Brandon Times says the 44 pieces of jewellery and 33 spoons dating from the Roman occupation of Britain are on show as part of the Thetford Treasure, Romans Rediscovered exhibition being held at the Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life.

The artefacts were discovered in 1979 by a local metal detector enthusiast before being "whisked away" to the British Museum in London, where they have been on display ever since.

However, a loan from the institution has brought part of the Thetford Treasure back to the place where it lay undetected in the soil for over 1,500 years.

Among the articles on display are a gold belt buckle depicting a mythical creature known as a satyr, a number of blacksmith's tools and a figurine of Mercury, the messenger of the gods.

British Museum curator Richard Hobbs described the treasures as being of "national and international importance".

Thetford is a market town in Norfolk, eastern England. It is historically thought of as the royal residence of legendary warrior queen Boudica, who led a rebellion against the occupying Roman Empire in the first century AD.

 

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