Archaeology student in England uncovers an ancient, 1,200-year-old gold artifact.

Newcastle University Student Unearths Ancient Treasure Near Dere Street

A 21-year-old archaeology student at Newcastle University, Yara Souza, has made a remarkable discovery that could shed light on the Early Middle Ages. Last July, during her first-ever dig, Yara uncovered a small, perfectly preserved golden object in the Redesdale Valley, England.

The golden object, about 4 cm in size, features a decorative fleuron adorned with fine engravings, characteristic of Early Middle Ages art. Initial analyses suggest that the object dates back to the 9th century, making it over 1200 years old.

The discovery took place near Dere Street, an ancient Roman road connecting the cities of York to Edinburgh. The proximity of the dig site to Dere Street, as well as to important religious centers in the Middle Ages, supports the theory that the objects were used for religious or ceremonial purposes.

James Gerrard, Yara's professor and mentor, expressed pride in her discovery and its exceptional quality. He stated that the find is a testament to Yara's hard work and dedication to her studies.

Specialists are intrigued by the similarity between the two objects and hope to draw insights from the comparison. They believe that the objects may have been deliberately buried in the ground, possibly as part of a ritual.

The two objects are expected to join the collection of the Great North Museum: Hancock for detailed analysis. The discovery of these objects suggests that high-ranking individuals frequented Dere Street even during the Early Middle Ages.

Yara shared her exceptional experience in a press release, stating that she couldn't believe she found something so quickly on her very first dig. She expressed excitement about discovering something that hadn't been seen for over a thousand years.

The press release was relayed by CBS News, adding to the excitement surrounding Yara's discovery. The proximity of the Redesdale Valley to Dere Street tends to support the theory that it was a significant route in the Middle Ages.

Interestingly, a similar object was found by amateur detectorist Alan Gray in 2021 at the same site where Yara made her discovery. The discovery of these two objects confirms the rich history and importance of the area.

Dere Street remained an important artery even after the Roman period, as evidenced by this discovery. The find reinforces the belief that the area was a significant hub of activity during the Middle Ages.

Overall, Yara Souza's discovery is a significant addition to our understanding of the Early Middle Ages and the importance of Dere Street. The detailed analysis of the objects is eagerly awaited by archaeologists and history enthusiasts alike.

Archaeology student in England uncovers an ancient, 1,200-year-old gold artifact.