The Roman Treasure from Traprain Law was the subject of a talk given to East Lothian Antiquarian & Field Naturalists’ Society.
Members and visitors enjoyed an account by Dr Fraser Hunter, principal curator of Iron Age and Roman Collections at National Museum of Scotland, of the hoard of late Roman hacksilver found on the hillfort of Traprain Law in 1919.
It is the largest hoard of Roman hacksilver currently known, weighing just over 23kg.
Dr Hunter covered the lifecycle of the treasure through production, usage, hacking and discovery.
In particular, new techniques have been used to deepen the scientific understanding of the hacked silver.
With many items thought to have been produced in Britain, Dr Hunter illustrated the wide range of high-status tableware and personal ornaments discovered.
He explained why and how the original silver items would have been battered, crushed and chopped up, and how the hoard would have been accumulated and used across generations living on Traprain Law.
In May 1919, the first piece of silver was unearthed by George Pringle, of East Linton.
The treasure is now on display at the National Museum of Scotland, where a new book edited by Dr Hunter, The Late Roman Silver Treasure from Traprain Law, can be purchased.
The next talk in the Antiquarians’ programme is ‘Life in Mesolithic East Lothian’.
It is open to non-members and will take place in Maitlandfield House Hotel, Haddington, on March 18. To find out more, visit eastlothian antiquarians.org.uk
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