Ancient Roman coins unearthed in Tuscany may reveal civil war secrets

Approximately 175 silver coins were unearthed in the forest near Livorno. Archaeologists made the discovery one and a half years ago, but the find was officially announced only recently. The treasure is likely to date back to 82 BCE and may have been buried due to an ancient civil war in Italy.

Archaeologists studying the coins estimate their worth in the tens of thousands of dollars now.

"The coins were hidden – they comprised a treasure or a money box," Lorella Alderighi, an archaeologist, shared with livescience.com. "The most effective way to safeguard valuables was to bury them in the ground, away from homes, where no one could locate them."

Archaeologists have differing opinions about who might have buried the coins in the forest. According to an official statement, a Roman soldier killed in battle may have buried the treasure. However, Professor Federico Santangelo, a scholar of Classical and Ancient History at the University of Newcastle in the UK, contends that the coins might have been hidden away by a merchant securing his funds for the future.

"In my opinion, the conjecture of a soldier hiding the coins might not be accurate, although it is theoretically possible," said the Professor.

The analysis of the discovered material took over a year and was facilitated by the collaboration of the Natural History Museum in Livorno with the Paleontological Archaeological Group of Livorno. The coins will soon be placed on public display.

Tuscany is a region that boasts stunning landscapes, exceptional cuisine, and a rich history. The region was formerly known as Etruria, inhabited by the Etruscans, and became a part of the Roman Empire in 281 BC. Subsequently, it was conquered multiple times by Germanic tribes, Byzantines, Lombards, and finally, the Franks.

Source: livescience.com