The Hoxne Hoard is the largest hoard of late Roman silver and gold discovered in Britain. Found by a metal detectorist in the village of Hoxne in Suffolk, England, on 16 November 1992, the hoard consists of 14,865 Roman gold, silver and bronze coins from the late fourth and early fifth centuries, and approximately 200 silver tableware and gold jewellery items. The hoard is now on permanent display in the British Museum and is valued at £2.66 million. The coins of the hoard date it after 407 AD, which coincides with the end of Britain as a Roman province. The Hoxne Hoard contains several rare and important objects, including a gold body-chain and silver-gilt pepper-pots. The Hoxne Hoard is also of particular archaeological significance because it was excavated by professional archaeologists with the items largely undisturbed and intact. The find has helped to improve the relationship between metal detectorists and archaeologists, and influenced a change in English law regarding finds of treasure.
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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1532:
Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire: Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro orchestrated a surprise attack in Cajamarca, Peru, capturing Sapa Inca Atahualpa. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cajamarca
1885:
After a five-day trial following the North-West Rebellion, Louis Riel, Canadian rebel leader of the Métis and "Father of Manitoba", was executed by hanging for high treason. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Riel
1907:
Two years after the failed attempt by the Five Civilized Tribes in the Indian Territory to achieve U.S. statehood, they joined with the Oklahoma Territory to become the 46th U.S. state to enter the union. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma
1938:
Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann first synthesized the psychedelic drug LSD at the Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Hofmann
1973:
U.S. President Richard Nixon signed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act, authorizing the construction of the Alaska Pipeline, an oil pipeline connecting the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Alaska. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Alaska_Pipeline_System
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
vapid (adj): 1. Lifeless, dull, or banal. 2. Tasteless, bland, or insipid http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/vapid
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
There is plenty of room at the top because very few people care to travel beyond the average route. And so most of us seem satisfied to remain within the confines of mediocrity. --Nnamdi Azikiwe http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Nnamdi_Azikiwe