A “significant” collection of silver coins dating back to the 11th century have been discovered at the site of the new Sizewell C nuclear power station taking shape on the Suffolk coast.
An archaeologist involved in a pre-construction dig saw the sliver of a coin edge peeping out and started shaking as he realised the importance of his discovery.
It was a “perfect archaeological time capsule” said Andrew Pegg of Oxford Cotswold Archaeology (OCA) which was tasked with carrying out the dig.
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The discovery of the 321 mint-condition silver coins feature on BBC2’s Digging for Britain today (Tuesday, January 7) at 8pm and on BBC iplayer.
Historians think that the hoard - wrapped in a lead and cloth bundle about the size of a pasty - was probably a savings pot for a local figure worried about political instability following the coronation of Edward the Confessor in 1042.
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Experts think that it would have belonged to someone of middling status and of local influence as it was worth about the value of a small herd of cows.
We should build more power stations like this, it’s clear they pay for themselves in bullion alone!
