揭曉：銀先令解鎖殖民地關係和令人毛骨悚然的處決

馬裡蘭州出土的一枚罕見的銀先令有著重要的歷史聯繫。這枚硬幣描繪了國王查理一世，於 1633 年至 1634 年左右在倫敦塔鑄造，並在聖瑪麗堡的牆內被發現。研究人員認為，硬幣可能是 1634 年抵達的一位最初的美國殖民者攜帶的，這為確定該地點的年代提供了重要證據。先令的製造商標記也將其與皇室聯繫在一起，為聖瑪麗堡及其居民的迷人故事增添了色彩。

Archaeological Discovery Unravels Historic Connections and a Gruesome Tale

考古發現揭開了歷史連結和可怕的故事

In a remarkable archaeological discovery that has captivated historians and numismatists alike, a rare and ancient silver shilling has emerged from the depths of Maryland's soil, shedding new light on the connections between royalty, colonization, and a gruesome execution.

這是一項令歷史學家和錢幣學家著迷的非凡考古發現，一枚罕見而古老的銀先令從馬裡蘭州的土壤深處出現，為人們了解皇室、殖民和可怕的處決之間的聯繫提供了新的線索。

The silver shilling, dating back nearly 400 years, depicts King Charles I of England, adorned with a goatee and a lace collar. Its discovery within what is believed to be the confines of the St. Mary's Fort in Maryland ignited a chain of research that has unlocked fascinating insights into the early colonial era.

這枚銀先令的歷史可以追溯到近 400 年前，上面描繪的是英格蘭國王查理一世，留著山羊胡，穿著蕾絲衣領。它的發現據信是在馬裡蘭州聖瑪麗堡的範圍內，引發了一系列研究，為早期殖民時代提供了令人著迷的見解。

Researchers believe that the coin, minted with a telltale "mint mark," was likely dropped by one of the original colonists who arrived in the fledgling Maryland colony in 1634. This remarkable artifact serves as a tangible reminder of the settlers' presence and the hardships they endured in establishing a new life in the wilderness.

研究人員認為，這枚帶有明顯「鑄幣標記」的硬幣很可能是 1634 年抵達馬裡蘭州新興殖民地的一位原始殖民者掉落的。這件非凡的文物切實地提醒人們殖民者的存在和艱辛他們在曠野中堅持不懈地建立新的生活。

The obverse side of the shilling bears the image of King Charles I, a monarch whose reign was marked by both controversy and tragedy. Born in 1600 at Dunfermline Castle in Scotland, Charles I ascended to the throne in 1625. His reign was characterized by conflict, including power struggles with Parliament, religious tensions, and ultimately, the outbreak of the English Civil War.

先令的正面刻有查理一世國王的肖像，這位君主的統治充滿了爭議和悲劇。查理一世於 1600 年出生於蘇格蘭鄧弗姆林城堡，於 1625 年登基。他的統治充滿了衝突，包括與議會的權力鬥爭、宗教緊張局勢，以及最終爆發的英國內戰。

In a gruesome twist of fate, King Charles I's reign came to an abrupt and violent end in 1649. He was captured by Parliamentarian forces and sentenced to death for high treason. On January 30, 1649, he was publicly beheaded in London, an event that sent shockwaves throughout the nation and beyond.

命運的可怕轉折使查理一世國王的統治於 1649 年突然暴力結束。他被議會軍隊抓獲，並因叛國罪被判處死刑。 1649 年 1 月 30 日，他在倫敦被公開斬首，這起事件在全國內外引起了震動。

The reverse side of the silver shilling features a miniature image of a castle portcullis, a formidable gate often used to protect the entrances of castles in medieval England. The portcullis symbolized strength and security, guarding against invasion and ensuring the well-being of the castle's inhabitants.

銀先令的背面有一個城堡吊閘的微型圖像，這是一個強大的大門，通常用於保護中世紀英格蘭城堡的入口。吊閘象徵著力量和安全，防止入侵並確保城堡居民的福祉。

Another notable aspect of the coin is the presence of a coat of arms and the Latin motto "Christo Auspice Regno," which translates to "I Reign Under the Auspices of Christ." This phrase reflects the monarch's belief in the divine right of kings, a concept prevalent during that era.

硬幣的另一個值得注意的方面是徽章和拉丁語座右銘“Christo Auspice Regno”的存在，翻譯過來就是“我在基督的支持下統治”。這句話反映了君主對國王神聖權利的信仰，這是那個時代盛行的觀念。

According to Travis Parno, the chief project archaeologist, the shilling bears a "maker's mark" on both sides, indicating that it was struck in the royal mint within the Tower of London around 1633 or 1634. This discovery further solidifies the coin's connection to the early colonial period and provides valuable evidence for the dating of the St. Mary's Fort site.

據首席項目考古學家特拉維斯·帕諾(Travis Parno) 稱，這枚先令的兩面都帶有“製造商標記”，表明它是在1633 年或1634 年左右在倫敦塔內的皇家造幣廠鑄造的。這項發現進一步鞏固了該硬幣與先令的連結。早期殖民時期，為聖瑪麗堡遺址的年代測定提供了寶貴的證據。

The St. Mary's Fort, located in southern Maryland, holds a pivotal place in Maryland's history. It was the first permanent European settlement in the colony and served as a vital outpost for the surrounding area. For decades, researchers have meticulously excavated the site, hoping to uncover clues to its rich past.

聖瑪麗堡位於馬裡蘭州南部，在馬裡蘭州歷史上佔有舉足輕重的地位。它是歐洲在殖民地的第一個永久定居點，也是周邊地區的重要前哨基地。幾十年來，研究人員精心挖掘了該遺址，希望能找到有關其豐富歷史的線索。

Prior to the discovery of the silver shilling, the precise date of the fort's establishment remained elusive. However, a breakthrough occurred in 2018 when a grant from the Maryland Historical Trust enabled Parno to employ a geophysicist and conduct a comprehensive ground-penetrating radar survey.

在發現銀先令之前，堡壘建立的確切日期仍然難以捉摸。然而，2018 年出現了突破，馬裡蘭州歷史信託基金會的撥款使帕諾能夠聘請一名地球物理學家並進行全面的探地雷達調查。

Ironic as it may seem, Parno had previously joked with his archaeological team about finding tangible proof to date the site. "If you could find me a coin that has 1634 on it, that would be helpful," he had quipped. Little did he know that fate would soon deliver such a prized artifact.

儘管看起來很諷刺，帕諾此前曾與他的考古團隊開玩笑說要找到確鑿的證據來確定該遺址的年代。 「如果你能為我找到一枚刻有 1634 的硬幣，那就太好了，」他打趣道。他不知道命運很快就會送來這麼珍貴的文物。

The discovery of the King Charles I silver shilling within the confines of the fort provided definitive evidence that the area was indeed inhabited during the early colonial period. The coin's presence offers a tangible connection to the settlers who arrived in 1634, their hopes and dreams intertwined with the establishment of a new colony in the untamed wilderness.

在堡壘範圍內發現的查理一世國王銀先令提供了明確的證據，證明該地區在早期殖民時期確實有人居住。這枚硬幣的存在為 1634 年抵達的定居者提供了切實的聯繫，他們的希望和夢想與在未開化的荒野中建立新殖民地的願望和夢想交織在一起。

Archaeologist Travis Parno emphasized that the silver shilling likely belonged to an individual with substantial disposable income, a person of means who was likely connected to the early colonial elite. Its discovery sheds light on the presence of social hierarchy and economic disparities within the fledgling settlement.

考古學家崔維斯·帕諾強調，這些銀先令可能屬於一個擁有大量可支配收入的人，一個有錢人，可能與早期殖民精英有聯繫。它的發現揭示了這個新興定居點中社會等級制度和經濟差距的存在。

The discovery of the silver shilling has generated widespread excitement among historians and numismatists. It has become a key dating tool, helping researchers to establish a more precise timeline for the occupation of the St. Mary's Fort site and the early days of Maryland's colonial era.

銀先令的發現引起了歷史學家和錢幣學家的廣泛興奮。它已成為一種重要的年代測定工具，幫助研究人員為聖瑪麗堡遺址的佔領和馬裡蘭州殖民時代的早期建立更精確的時間表。

Beyond the silver shilling, archaeologists have uncovered a trove of valuable artifacts during their excavations at the St. Mary's Fort site. These include the skeleton of a teenager, suggesting the presence of young settlers, as well as a guardhouse's brick cellar and a trigger guard for a musket, hinting at the fort's defensive nature.

除了銀先令之外，考古學家在聖瑪麗堡遺址的挖掘過程中還發現了一批珍貴的文物。其中包括青少年的骨架，顯示年輕定居者的存在，以及警衛室的磚砌地窖和步槍扳機護圈，暗示了堡壘的防禦性質。

Other significant discoveries include a 4,500-year-old quartzite arrowhead, a testament to the area's pre-colonial history, and a "tinkling cone," a small piece of copper with a leather cord used in trade between Indigenous peoples and colonists.

其他重大發現包括一個有4,500 年歷史的石英岩箭頭，它證明了該地區前殖民歷史，以及一個“叮噹作響的錐體”，這是一塊帶有皮繩的小銅片，用於原住民和殖民者之間的貿易。

Just last month, archaeologists unearthed a rare piece of body armor at the site, designed to safeguard the wearer's thighs during battle. An X-ray examination revealed the presence of three hearts engraved into the armor, a poignant reminder of the human lives entangled in the conflict and bloodshed that shaped the early colonial era.

就在上個月，考古學家在現場發現了一件罕見的防彈衣，旨在在戰鬥中保護穿著者的大腿。 X射線檢查顯示，盔甲上刻有三顆心，這令人心酸地提醒人們，在塑造早期殖民時代的衝突和流血中，人類的生命被捲入其中。

The ongoing excavations at the St. Mary's Fort site promise to yield further insights into the complex tapestry of Maryland's colonial history. Researchers continue their meticulous exploration, unearthing artifacts that illuminate the lives, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before them.

聖瑪麗堡遺址正在進行的挖掘工作有望進一步了解馬裡蘭州複雜的殖民歷史。研究人員繼續進行細緻的探索，挖掘出一些文物，這些文物照亮了前人的生活、鬥爭和勝利。

As each new discovery is made, it contributes to our understanding of the past. The silver shilling, with its intricate details and poignant connections to royalty, executions, and colonization, stands as a remarkable testament to the power of archaeological research, enriching our collective knowledge of history and human existence.

每一個新的發現都有助於我們對過去的理解。銀先令以其複雜的細節以及與皇室、處決和殖民化的深刻聯繫，成為考古研究力量的非凡證明，豐富了我們對歷史和人類存在的集體知識。