14 June 2026
A metal detectorist found a gold ring in a field. The jewelry’s ornately carved setting encompassed a blue gem engraved with a telling image: the Roman goddess Victoria, two wings protruding from her back, driving a horse-drawn chariot.
Previously, a hoard of Roman coins and a lead coffin were found at the site in England’s southwestern Somerset region, near the town of Ilminster. But the gold ring, unearthed in 2018, became the field’s most valuable find.
According to a statement from the Trust, the so-called Ilminster Ring is "a truly remarkable find." It’s unusually big, weighing nearly 50 grams, and dates back to the late third century C.E.- during the Roman Empire's occupation of the British Isles. "The Ilminster Ring is both large and heavy, with elaborate goldwork and a beautifully executed intaglio," Amal Khreisheh, the trust’s senior curator, says in the statement. "While other examples are known, these elements combine to create a spectacular ring that is only paralleled by continental discoveries."
Romans began colonizing what's now England in 43 A.D., under the emperor Claudius. By the end of the first century, their control had spread as far north as present-day Scotland. They named their new province Britannia, and held it until the empire collapsed in the fifth century. Modern archaeologists have found countless artifacts and sites dating back to Britain’s Roman era: villas, interesting burials, mosaics, coins. But the ring is unique. "Roman gold is really rare," Khreisheh tells BBC News’s Dan Ayers. "Most jewelry is made out of silver or bronze in this period, so it's really striking to see in such good condition."
> Spectacular Gold and Gemstone Ring Buried for Safekeeping 1,700 Years Ago
26 May 2026
Two rare Chinese antiques more than 300 years old and part of a family collection in East Sussex have been sold for a combined £135,500.
The vase and wine pitcher were from the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1661 to 1722) and were bought by art connoisseur and philanthropist William Cleverley Alexander in 1907 and 1913.
Both items had been in Mr Alexander's private collection at his country home in Heathfield Park for more than a century.
The vase, which has a rare underglaze decorated with two squirrels hiding in a fruiting grapevine, was sold to a buyer in the Far East for £94,500 against an estimate of £20,000-£30,000. The pitcher was sold for £41,000 to a European buyer against an estimate of £4,000-£6,000.
> Rare Chinese antiques sell for more than £130k
4 May 2025
Archeologists at a Roman fort near Hadrian’s Wall have uncovered a penis-shaped pendant thought to have been used as good luck charm. Recent excavations at Vindolanda, a fort just south of the Sycamore Gap, have unearthed a quirky piece of jewellery within the remains of a 4th Century wall.
The site was under Roman occupation between 85 AD and 370 AD, and today is an active archaeology site with it providing an insight into the lives of people living and working near Hadrian's Wall nearly 2,000 years ago. Among the latest finds from the team of archaeologists is a miniature phallus-shaped pendant made from Jet gemstone, with its smooth surface suggesting the wearer touched it often for good luck
“This little jet pendant was lost at sometime in the early 4th century when the barrack wall in which it was found was constructed,” director of excavations at the Vindolanda Charitable Trust, Dr Andrew Birley, said. “Jet is increasingly common as a material used for jewellery from the early third century onwards and small good luck charms or pendants like these would have been worn by many of the soldiers at places like Vindolanda. “You can see that the pendant is quite smooth, not just because of the material used but also no doubt because the wearer touched the charm for good luck. “We are delighted to find this wonderful little artefact and I have no doubt that this is just the start of many more discoveries to come from Vindolanda this year.”
Phallic imagery was commonly used in as a symbol of good luck in Roman art. Soldiers would often wear fist-and-phallus amulets for luck in battle and parents would kit their children out with penis-shaped pendants to protect them from the evil eye. The symbols have been found on a wide range of Roman objects by archaeologists and historians, from mosaics to lamps. Along Hadrian’s Wall alone, 59 phallic representations have been identified on the wall and in associated forts.
> Archaeologists unearth lucky penis pendant near Hadrian’s Wall
10 December 2024
Archaeologists from France's National Institute of Preventative Archaeological Research (INRAP) have unearthed an extraordinary Roman domus dating back to the 2nd century CE on the outskirts of ancient Durocortorum, now modern-day Reims. The discovery includes three exquisite bronze statuettes and fragments of frescoes, highlighting the cultural sophistication and wealth of the provincial elite during the Roman era.
Durocortorum was a prominent urban center in Roman Gaul, serving as the provincial capital of Gallia Belgica. At its height, the city followed a Roman urban grid centered on a bustling forum, the nucleus of political and religious activity. However, areas farther from the forum, such as the western fringes where the domus was discovered, remain less understood. This residence, over a kilometer from the forum and situated near the Vesle River, showcases the wealth and artistry of its owners despite its peripheral location.
The domus featured an imposing facade with two grand pillars and walls adorned with frescoes. Among these were depictions of life-sized figures, known as megalographies. Notably, fragments of the frescoes referenced the mythological tale of Achilles and Deidamia, a narrative tied to the Trojan War.
This scene, prized in Roman culture, has only been documented in four other locations: Aquileia, Pompeii, Rome, and now Reims. "Its presence in Reims highlights the cultural connections between this provincial capital and the Roman metropolis," stated INRAP.
Amidst the debris of what appears to have been a fire, three bronze statuettes were uncovered, each remarkable for its craftsmanship and symbolic significance:
Mars: This 18-centimeter-tall depiction of the Roman god of war is adorned with intricate details. Its silver-inlaid eyes lend it a lifelike gaze, while its breastplate features a Medusa head and a relief of the Capitoline wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, iconic symbols of Rome. The statuette rests on a circular base adorned with floral motifs in silver and copper.
The Bull: Measuring 16.7 cm in width and 11.6 cm in height, the bull statuette displays a naturalistic expression, emphasized by its silver-highlighted eyes. It rests on a rectangular base that enhances its stability and showcases the artist's skill.
Female Figure: Standing 30.7 cm tall, this statuette is perhaps the most enigmatic. Initially identified as a goddess, the figure combines diverse mythological elements. She wears a helmet adorned with a sphinx and a crenelated crown, possibly an allegory of a city. Slots on her back suggest the former presence of wings. She wields Hercules' club entwined with a serpent, resting on the Nemean Lion's skin, merging various Roman mythological motifs.
> Archaeologists Uncover Opulent Roman Artifacts in Reims
© Minerva Antiquities 2026 All rights reserved
Powered by w3.css