The gem will be on display at Colchester Castle when the venue reopens
- Credit: COLCHESTER BOROUGH COUNCIL
An incredible engraved Roman gem that was unearthed in Colchester has been revealed to be centuries older than originally thought.
The gem – known as an intaglio – was excavated at Gosbecks Archaeological Park in 1995 by the Colchester Archaeological Trust, close to the remains of a previously-discovered Romano-Celtic temple.
The deep red stone was mounted in an iron ring and was originally used by its owner to seal letters and documents.
Research in Colchester and Ipswich Museums Collections Online database has now revealed the artefact can now be dated 150 to 250 years earlier than previously thought.
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