Ancient Roman silver coins unearthed on Pantelleria!
Archaeologists have made a fascinating discovery on the Mediterranean island of Pantelleria, uncovering a cache of 27 ancient Roman silver coins. Pantelleria, located between Sicily and Tunisia, has long been a site of historical significance, and this latest find adds even more intrigue to its past.
Photo Credit: Parco Archeologico di Selinunte, Cave di Cusa e Pantelleria
Hidden Roman Treasure
The 27 silver denarii were found during restoration work at the Acropolis of Santa Teresa and San Marco. These coins date back to between 94 and 74 BCE, during the Roman Republic era, and were hidden in a hole in the wall. Some were revealed after recent rains disturbed the soil, while others were carefully concealed beneath a large boulder. The discovery was led by archaeologist Thomas Schäfer from the University of Tübingen in Germany, who has been excavating the site for over 25 years. Interestingly, this is not the first time ancient coins have been found here. In 2010, 107 similar silver denarii were uncovered in the same area.
Schäfer believes the coins were likely hidden during one of the many pirate attacks that plagued the region at the time. Coastal settlements were frequently raided, forcing locals to hide their valuables to protect them from looting. The denarii, a common Roman currency, were used throughout the empire and held significant value. In fact, one denarius was roughly equivalent to a day's wage for a Roman soldier.
Photo Credit: Parco Archeologico di Selinunte, Cave di Cusa e Pantelleria
A Site Rich in History
The Acropolis of Santa Teresa and San Marco is not only significant for the recent discovery of coins but also for previous finds. The site has yielded the heads of three important Roman statues: Julius Caesar, Emperor Titus, and a woman believed to be either Agrippina the Elder or Antonia the Younger. These statues are currently displayed in renowned museums like the British Museum and the Salinas Museum in Palermo.
Felice Crescente, director of the Archaeological Park of Selinunte, Caves of Cusa, and Pantelleria, emphasised that while the coins are remarkable, the real value lies in the historical context they provide. They offer a window into the broader economic and political landscape of the Roman Republic, especially during times of turmoil marked by frequent pirate raids. These raids continued until Pompey the Great's decisive victory over the Mediterranean pirates in 67 BCE.
This discovery not only enriches our understanding of ancient Roman life but also connects us to pivotal moments in history, showing how interconnected these coastal settlements were with the larger events of the Roman world.