Dig Unearths Ancient (200AD) Love Affair

BBC ^ | 3-3-2004

[blam]

Dig unearths ancient love affair

The plaque was found in the grave with the skull

A Roman tale of love and romance that took place in Kent in about 200 AD has been unearthed during an excavation. Archaeologists working at the site in Canterbury uncovered the secret of the romance in a grave just as they were about to pack up their equipment.

The grave contained a woman's skull as well as the only complete marble plaque ever found in the area.

The team said the plaque would have been put beside the woman by her husband as a gesture of eternal love.

'Most faithful'

Paul Bennet, the director of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust, said: "This grave is special because of this object - this marble plaque.

"Burying a funeral inscription is unusual and you can just make out the letters, they mean most faithful."

The couple would have lived in the area 1,800 years ago

Archaeologist Richard Helm found the grave and has helped piece the puzzle of the romance back together.

Mr Helm said: "As I turned it over and saw the inscription, which looked very clear in the sunlight, I was absolutely amazed and excited.

The woman's identity is not known but it is thought she lived in the area about 1,800 years ago and may have been a potter.

The archaeologists also believe the plaque would have been the man's only possession and say it makes the tale more poignant.

Other historical finds unearthed during the dig included the remains of a Neolithic man, Roman brickworks and a silver trinket from the Saxon period.

All of the items will be displayed in the city's museum.

[Rollee]

That's interesting. It sounds like a very historical place.

[blam]

"It sounds like a very historical place."

Yup. Cheddar Man still has relatives living in the region.

[blam]

Ping.

[farmfriend]

Gods, Graves, Glyphs
List for articles regarding early civilizations , life of all forms, - dinosaurs - etc.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this ping list.

[Age of Reason]

All of the items will be displayed in the city's museum.

Err, how about putting the plaque back where they found it.

Archeology is one thing--but this story is sounding a little like grave robbing.

[zip]

ping

[VOA]

"Burying a funeral inscription is unusual and you can just make out the letters,
they mean most faithful."

It's a sweet story.
I just pray that Hollywood doesn't try to do anything with it!

[Thinkin]

Thank you !!

[socal_parrot]

Notice the grave was sans hubby. He probably found a younger corpse to be buried with.

[Licensed-To-Carry]

Notice, it wasn't two queers. It was a male and a female.

[rogueleader]

Archaeologists have no respect for the dead.

Would you want your bones pulled out of the ground and stored in some cardboard box in a university, to be poked and prodded?

I can see grabbing a few samples and storing them, but eventually this just becomes grave robbing.