British archaeologists clearing land for the HS2 high-speed rail line have uncovered a small early version of the coins. They are over 2,100 years old.
In West London, archaeologists have discovered the “Hillingdon Treasure”: more than 300 iron Age potins. Scientists believe that the find is at least 2,100 years old. The treasure was found during excavations at the construction site of the HS2 high-speed train line.
Let us recall that potin is an ancient alloy of copper with a high content of tin, lead and sometimes zinc with impurities of other metals. Potin is a silver-like alloy of base metals used in coins. As a rule, it is a mixture of copper, tin and lead (in various proportions).
The unique find was named “Hillingdon’s Treasure”. The fact is that about 300 potins were discovered in the borough of the same name in West London in August last year. The coins found, potina, were in use during the Iron Age, during the period when the Romans began to settle in Britain and founded Londinium in 47 AD. e.
Scientists are not yet sure for what purpose the ancient people used these coins in the 1st century BC. The fact is that at that time the main method of trade was barter – the exchange of some goods or services for others. Historians speculate that they may have been used as an offering to the ancient gods. However, the possibility is not excluded that ancient coins were used for their intended purpose. For example, a treasure could play the role of savings in case of an emergency or financial crisis.
