Archaeologists Discover Ancient Ceramic Jars Containing 25,000 Roman Coins in France

Archaeologists in northeastern France have uncovered ancient ceramic jars containing at least 25,000 bronze and copper Roman coins dating back to the 3rd century CE.

The remarkable discovery was made during a routine excavation carried out by archaeologists from France’s National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP), covering an area of approximately 1,500 square metres.

In addition to the coin-filled jars, the excavation has revealed important clues about the history of Senon, showing how the settlement evolved from a Gallic village into a prosperous Roman town before eventually being destroyed by fire.

At the deepest layers of the site, archaeologists uncovered traces of early buildings, including pits, ditches, and postholes that once supported wooden walls and clay structures.

The remains date back to the mid-2nd century BCE, when the area was inhabited by the Mediomatrici, a Celtic people whose capital was Divodurum Mediomatricorum, now known as Metz in modern-day France.

Following the Roman conquest of Gaul under Julius Caesar, the settlement entered a period of significant growth.

Archaeologists identified more than a dozen small limestone quarries, some reaching nearly three metres in depth, which were dug behind homes. These quarries were later repurposed as storage spaces and for other domestic uses, supporting centuries of construction and development.

By the late 1st century CE, the newly excavated section of Senon had developed into an organized Roman neighbourhood. Researchers uncovered two paved streets lined with stone houses featuring lime-coated floors, hypocaust heating systems, ovens, and underground cellars.

Courtyards located behind many of the homes appear to have been used as workshops, suggesting that the area was home to skilled artisans and merchants.

The quality of the buildings and the everyday objects recovered from the site indicate that many of Senon’s residents enjoyed a relatively comfortable standard of living during the Roman era.

Archaeologists believe the discovery offers valuable insight into daily life, urban development, and economic activity in Roman Gaul.

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