Breaking News: Ancient Roman Jewels Unearthed! Bathhouse Drainage Yields Godly Treasure Hoard! #gems

Dozens of carved gemstones depicting Roman gods and animals were discovered at Carlisle in the north of England, amid the ruins of an ancient drainage system that carried water away from public baths in the third and fourth centuries. Archaeologists announced the finds in June 2023; it’s thought the gemstones were worn in jewelry by wealthy bathers, but that they fell into the drains when their settings loosened from the humidity and heat of the baths.

These gems include semiprecious stones of agate, jasper, amethyst, and carnelian; some are carved with images of Roman gods, such as Apollo, Venus, and Mars, while others show animals, such as rabbits and birds. Carved gemstones like this, called intaglios, were used by the Romans as a type of signature, often pressing a ring into clay or wax to create a seal. The ancient drains were found beneath a pavilion belonging to the Carlisle Cricket Club; the city was a regional center in Roman Britain, when it was known as Luguvalium.

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