一批 11 世紀銀幣讓我們一窺動盪的過去

在薩福克郡未來核電廠塞茲韋爾 C 的建築工地附近發現了超過 321 枚完好的銀幣

A hoard of over 321 mint-condition silver coins has been discovered near the construction site of Sizewell C, a future nuclear power station in Suffolk on England’s eastern coast.

在英國東海岸薩福克郡未來的核電廠塞茲韋爾 C 的建築工地附近發現了超過 321 枚完好的銀幣。

The find, made by archaeologists from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology (OCA), offers fresh insight into the political and social turbulence of 11th-century England. The coins, carefully wrapped in cloth and lead, date back to the reigns of Harold I, Harthacnut, and Edward the Confessor, minted between 1036 and 1044. Unearthed during routine excavations, the bundle—affectionately nicknamed “the Pasty” by archaeologists due to its shape—was likely buried by a local figure seeking to safeguard their wealth amidst the uncertainty surrounding Edward the Confessor’s accession to the throne in 1042.

這項發現由牛津科茨沃爾德考古學 (OCA) 的考古學家完成，為了解 11 世紀英格蘭的政治和社會動盪提供了新的視角。這些硬幣被精心包裹在布和鉛中，可以追溯到哈羅德一世、哈撒克努特和懺悔者愛德華統治時期，鑄造於1036 年至1044 年間。被考古學家親切地稱為“餡餅”，因為它的形狀很可能是由當地一位人物埋葬的，他在 1042 年懺悔者愛德華即位的不確定性中尋求​​保護自己的財富。

A Glimpse into a Turbulent Past

回顧動盪的過去

The mid-11th century was a time of significant upheaval in England, marked by the transition from Danish to Anglo-Saxon rule. Edward’s coronation restored the House of Wessex to the throne after decades of Danish control under King Cnut and his sons. The regime change brought uncertainty, with some wealthier individuals facing exile or property confiscation.

十一世紀中葉是英格蘭發生重大劇變的時期，其標誌是從丹麥統治向盎格魯撒克遜統治過渡。在克努特國王和他的兒子們統治丹麥數十年後，愛德華的加冕使威塞克斯家族恢復了王位。政權更迭帶來了不確定性，一些較富有的人面臨流放或財產被沒收。

Experts believe the coin hoard belonged to an individual of middling status, possibly a person of local influence. According to Oxford Cotswold Archaeology, the hoard’s value at the time was equivalent to a small herd of cows—a significant sum for most people but not indicative of high nobility.

專家認為，這批錢幣屬於一個中等地位的人，可能是當地有影響力的人。根據牛津科茨沃爾德考古學的說法，當時這些寶藏的價值相當於一小群牛——對大多數人來說是一筆巨款，但並不代表貴族的身份。

“The Pasty was a true privilege to find,” said Andrew Pegg, the archaeologist who uncovered the hoard. “A perfect archaeological time capsule. The information we are learning from it is stunning, and I’m so proud to have added to the history of my own little part of Suffolk.”

發現這批寶藏的考古學家安德魯·佩吉 (Andrew Pegg) 表示：“能夠找到這批餡餅真是一種榮幸。” 「一個完美的考古時間膠囊。我們從中學到的信息令人震驚，我很自豪能夠為我自己的薩福克小地區的歷史增添色彩。

The coins, minted in locations including London, Norwich, Ipswich, and even smaller towns like Langport and Axbridge, showcase the economic networks of the time.

這些硬幣在倫敦、諾里奇、伊普斯維奇，甚至蘭波特和阿克斯布里奇等較小的城鎮鑄造，展示了當時的經濟網絡。

The Mystery of the Buried Treasure

埋藏寶藏之謎

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While the exact reasons for burying the hoard remain unknown, it is likely the owner intended to retrieve it later but was prevented by unforeseen circumstances. They may have died, been unable to relocate the exact spot, or faced other obstacles that left the treasure hidden for nearly a millennium.

雖然埋藏這些寶藏的確切原因尚不清楚，但主人很可能打算稍後取回它，但由於不可預見的情況而未能成功。他們可能已經死了，無法重新定位確切的地點，或面臨其他障礙，導致寶藏被隱藏了近千年。

Alexander Bliss, Coin Specialist at OCA, remarked, “This new coin hoard provides us with valuable insight into the rich historical backdrop of this period, adding to the evidence that Edward the Confessor’s accession was marked by a degree of uncertainty and concern within wider society.”

OCA 的錢幣專家亞歷山大·布利斯(Alexander Bliss) 表示：「這批新的錢幣寶庫為我們提供了對這一時期豐富歷史背景的寶貴見解，並進一步證明了懺悔者愛德華的即位標誌著更廣泛社會內部一定程度的不確定性和擔憂。

Archaeology at Sizewell C

塞茲韋爾 C 考古學

The discovery is part of a broader archaeological programme linked to the construction of Sizewell C. In addition to the coin hoard, excavations have unearthed artefacts spanning centuries, including World War Two relics that highlight Suffolk’s strategic importance.

這項發現是與塞茲韋爾C 的建造相關的更廣泛考古計劃的一部分。世界大戰遺跡。

Sizewell C’s Site Delivery Director, Damian Leydon, commented, “The discovery of the 11th-century coin hoard is an extraordinary find. Archaeology is an important step in the Sizewell C project, helping us understand what lies beneath the ground before construction begins. This project provides a rare and fascinating glimpse into Suffolk’s rich history, deepening our understanding of this part of Britain.”

Sizewell C 的現場交付總監 Damian Leydon 評論道：「11 世紀錢幣寶庫的發現是一項非凡的發現。考古學是塞茲韋爾 C 計畫的重要一步，幫助我們在施工開始前了解地下有什麼。這個項目讓我們得以一窺薩福克豐富歷史的難得而迷人的一面，加深我們對英國這一地區的了解。

Top Image: Photo courtesy Sizewell C

上圖：Sizewell C 供圖