Roman Intaglio Ring depicting Mars
- Credit: Colchester Museums and Douglas Atfield
Colchester Museums have re-dated a gem to Rome's Republic.
The engraved gem, a deep red colour, was mounted in an iron ring. It would have been used to seal letters and documents.
Experts have revealed the ring to date 150 to 250 years earlier than previously thought.
The intaglio was excavated at Gosbecks Archaeological Park, Colchester in 1995 by the Colchester Archaeological Trust. It was unearthed within the area of a ‘Romano-Celtic’ temple.
The new information came to light when Colchester + Ipswich Museums Service launched their Collections Online database.
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