Archaeologists Analyse Remains of Roman Purse Found in Merida

Heritage Daily ^ | May 12, 2023 | Markus Milligan

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...at Casa Del Mitreo in Merida, Spain... known during the Roman period as Emerita Augusta, was founded as a colony in 25 BC under the order of the emperor Augustus to serve as a retreat for the veteran soldiers (emeritus) of the legions V Alaudae and X Gemina.

The purse was discovered at the Casa del Mitreo archaeological site, a high status domus that dates from the end of the 1st or beginning of the 2nd century AD. The domus consisted of peristyles or courtyards with columns, and numerous ornate mosaics that decorated the interior rooms. Excavations found the purse remains in the balneum area (private baths), specifically in room no. 44, which served as a service area for the domus.

According to a study published in the journal Arqueología, the purse (known as a bursa), is the second only example discovered in the entire Iberian Peninsula.

Textile fragments from the purse were identified by conducting a microscopic analysis of coins, revealing that the textiles were made from Egyptian linen.

Whether the purse remains originate in Egypt or the orient, or the flax materials were imported and then woven locally is unknown. Egypt produced linen with a high reputation, but by the Roman period, the big centres of production had moved to Syria and Palestine.

An examination of the coins and the archaeological context they were found in situ places them to the end of the 3rd century AD. This coincides with the phase of abandonment of the domus which occurred during the late 3rd century and early 4th century AD.

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Professor Geils is not sure, first he has to look at the purse.

[Red Badger]

Some Purse Snatcher disposed of it after cleaning it out 2000 years ago!.....................

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“It’s not a purse, it’s called a satchel.”