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A 2,000-Year-Old Figurine Of The Roman God Mercury Discovered In Yorkshire
A 2,000-Year-Old Figurine Of The Roman God Mercury
Discovered In Yorkshire
- A two thousand-year-old figurine of the Roman god Mercury has become the 1,000th archeological object this year to be officially recorded in North and East Yorkshire as part of a government-funded project.
The worn copper alloy figurine of the Roman god of commerce and travellers was found by Dave Cooper, member of the York and District Metal Detecting Club, in a field near Selby.
The metal has a patchy mid-green patina and is very worn. The figurine is 76.7mm long, 30.2mm wide, 12.2mm thick and weighs 201g.
Mercury was one of the more popular Roman gods, with similar examples already found across the country giving an insight into the religious practices of Roman Britain.
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The figurine is the 1,000th find this year recorded by the North and East Yorkshire Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), a government-funded project to encourage the voluntary recording of archaeological objects found by the public. ‘Every year thousands of archaeological objects are discovered by members of the public,’ Rebecca Griffiths, PAS Finds Liaison Officer at York Museums Trust, told Yorkshire Post.
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Portable Antiquities Scheme Find Liason Officer Rebecca Griffiths, holds the Two Thousand Year Old Figurine of the Roman God Mercury, at The Yorkshire Museum. Picture by Simon Hulme
“While the majority of these come from metal-detector users we also see many finds from people field-walking, gardening, renovating houses and even those out walking particularly inquisitive dogs.”
A great variety of artifacts have been unearthed in North and East Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Museum has acquired many artifacts that have been found by members of the public, many of which are currently on display.
‘Escrick Ring,’ Found In England By Amateur Treasure Hunter Michael Greenhorn. Photo credit: Yorkshire Museum
Bedale Hoard was found by metal detectorists in 2012 and bought by the Yorkshire Museum. Photo credits: Yorkshire Museum
The Richard III boar badge, now in the Yorkshire Museum. Photo credit: Yorkshire Museum
These include the ‘Escrick Ring,’discovered by amateur treasure hunter Michael Greenhorn, from York and District Metal Detecting Club, in 2009; Bedale Hoard and the Richard III boar badge. (images above).
North and East Yorkshire region has contributed with many ancient artifacts from Roman coins to stone tools, medieval buckles and post-medieval toys.
Source:http://www.messagetoeagle.com/mercuryfigurinefound.php#.VXEax9Ltmko
