一批 11 世纪银币让我们一睹动荡的过去

在萨福克郡未来核电站塞兹韦尔 C 的建筑工地附近发现了超过 321 枚完好的银币

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.

在英国东海岸萨福克郡未来的核电站塞兹韦尔 C 的建筑工地附近发现了超过 321 枚完好的银币。

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.

这一发现由牛津科茨沃尔德考古学 (OCA) 的考古学家完成，为了解 11 世纪英格兰的政治和社会动荡提供了新的见解。这些硬币被精心包裹在布和铅中，可以追溯到哈罗德一世、哈撒克努特和忏悔者爱德华统治时期，铸造于 1036 年至 1044 年间。在例行挖掘过程中出土，这捆硬币被考古学家亲切地称为“馅饼”，因为它的形状很可能是由一位当地人物埋葬的，他们在忏悔者爱德华登基的不确定性中寻求保护自己的财富。 1042.

A Glimpse into a Turbulent Past

回顾动荡的过去

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.

十一世纪中叶是英格兰发生重大剧变的时期，其标志是从丹麦统治向盎格鲁撒克逊统治过渡。在克努特国王和他的儿子们统治丹麦数十年之后，爱德华的加冕使威塞克斯家族恢复了王位。政权更迭带来了不确定性，一些较富有的人面临流放或财产被没收。

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.

专家认为，这批钱币属于一个中等地位的人，可能是当地有影响力的人。根据牛津科茨沃尔德考古学的说法，当时这些宝藏的价值相当于一小群牛——对大多数人来说是一笔巨款，但并不代表贵族的身份。

“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.”

发现这批宝藏的考古学家安德鲁·佩吉 (Andrew Pegg) 表示：“能够找到这批馅饼真是一种荣幸。” “一个完美的考古时间胶囊。我们从中学到的信息令人震惊，我很自豪能够为我自己的萨福克小地区的历史增添色彩。”

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

这些硬币在伦敦、诺里奇、伊普斯维奇，甚至兰波特和阿克斯布里奇等较小的城镇铸造，展示了当时的经济网络。

The Mystery of the Buried Treasure

埋藏宝藏之谜

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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.

虽然埋藏这些宝藏的确切原因尚不清楚，但主人很可能打算稍后取回它，但由于不可预见的情况而未能成功。他们可能已经死了，无法重新定位确切的地点，或者面临其他障碍，导致宝藏被隐藏了近千年。

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 的钱币专家亚历山大·布利斯 (Alexander Bliss) 表示：“这批新的钱币宝库为我们提供了对这一时期丰富历史背景的宝贵见解，并进一步证明了忏悔者爱德华的即位标志着更广泛社会内部一定程度的不确定性和担忧。 ”。

Archaeology at Sizewell C

塞兹韦尔 C 考古学

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.

这一发现是与塞兹韦尔 C 的建造相关的更广泛的考古计划的一部分。除了硬币宝藏之外，挖掘工作还出土了跨越几个世纪的文物，包括凸显萨福克战略重要性的第二次世界大战遗迹。

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 的现场交付总监 Damian Leydon 评论道：“11 世纪钱币宝藏的发现是一项非凡的发现。考古学是塞兹韦尔 C 项目的重要一步，帮助我们在施工开始前了解地下有什么。这个项目让我们得以一睹萨福克丰富历史的难得而迷人的一面，加深我们对英国这一地区的了解。”

Top Image: Photo courtesy Sizewell C

上图：Sizewell C 供图