Archaeologists lift lid on Roman coffin find

ARCHAEOLOGISTS are preparing to study in detail the contents of a coffin believed to contain a Romano-British child.

The lid of the 1,600 year-old coffin was lifted this week after its recent discovery by metal-detectorist Chris Wright in a field in Witherley close to the Warwickshire/Leicestershire border.

Archaeologists and scientists were in Warwick on Monday for the opening.

To the untrained eye looked like it was full of mud that had worked its way in through cracks in the lead-lined coffin down the centuries.

But experts are convinced the coffin and its contents will provide them with a lot of information and over the next few days will painstakingly remove the clay and silt to reveal the remains of its occupant.

A jet bracelet has already been found and it is likely other items of body adornment will be revealed.

Stuart Palmer from Archaeology Warwickshire said: “This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to use cutting edge scientific techniques to investigate Roman period burial customs and mortuary practices, alongside a snap-shot of the local environment at the time of the burial.

“The sediments in the coffin could retain chemical traces of organic materials not available to conventional archaeology. We hope it will shed invaluable light on the Roman Mancetter hinterland.

"Burials have the potential to reveal signatures of body decay; pre-burial treatment and mortuary practice; clothing and perishable artefacts; diet; cause of death; disease and even drug-use.

“This ground-breaking study will use a variety of tools to reveal hidden secrets and help us to understand the past cultural practices and environmental conditions at the time the child lived, some 1,600 years ago."

- Experts are now inviting votes for potential names for the child.

The shortlist is Oriens (rise - as the sun); Loquor (tell - declare); Aperio (reveal); Addo (inspire); Accendo (illuminate); and Parvulus (infant).

Vote above or tweet your favourite to @OsintheDeer. The council will announce the winning name on November 25.

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