Metal Detectorist Uncovers Roman Village

From northwest England comes word of another large contribution to our understanding of Roman history made by a modern metal detectorist.

For three years, James Balme has been patiently searching a patch of land in Warburton, England, with his metal detector. His finds to date include hairpins, pottery, jewelry, axe heads and other artifacts.

But scientists are now saying that what he may have discovered is far more significant than the 400 or so artifacts he has surfaced. They believe that he has stumbled onto what may be the one of the largest Roman sites in this region of Britain.

Experts at Manchester University are now working with Balme on the site. They theorize the area served as an Iron Age village and later a farm for a Roman gentried family. Further, they believe a burial mound probably lies under the site.

For more details, see New Roman Site Discovered