Archaeologists in England find gems from Roman times

London, Feb 16 (ANI): Archaeologists have discovered a gold ring and a gemstone in a field near Upton Grey in Hampshire, UK, dating back to Roman times.

According to a report in the website www. thisishampshire.net, the ring dates back to the third century, and the gemstone from the first or second century.

They were found on January 18 last year by Martin Barker, a plumber and amateur treasure hunter from Middlesex, using a metal detector.

Sarah Whitby, deputy coroner for North East Hampshire, ruled at an inquest into the find, held at the Civic Offices, that the items were treasure.

They will now be valued by experts at the British Museum and are thought to be worth a few hundred pounds.

Ralph Jackson, curator at the British Museum's department of prehistory and Europe, prepared a report for the inquest having studied the items.

The inquest was told he believes the carnelian gemstone bears a picture of a maenad - a female worshipper of Dionysus - the ancient Greek god of wine.

The gemstone would probably have sat inside the ring, which had a gold content of around 94 to 97 per cent, and the ring may have been part of a larger ornamental brooch, the inquest heard.

After valuation, the ring will be offered for sale to the Hampshire Museums Service.

According to Rob Webley, Finds Liaison Officer for the Hampshire Museums Service, the items could together be worth around 300 pounds to 500 pounds.

"It's a special piece and it is something that the museum service would hope to acquire. I would hope that it would go on display at the Willis Museum in Basingstoke," he said. (ANI)