{
  "id": 9201698,
  "title": "'There was something bigger in the ground here': Metal detectorist in Germany discovers giant Roman-era hoard from time of emperor Hadrian",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/there-was-something-bigger-in-the-ground-here-metal-detectorist-in",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-22T21:13:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Science",
    "slug": "live-science",
    "url": "https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/there-was-something-bigger-in-the-ground-here-metal-detectorist-in-germany-discovers-giant-roman-era-hoard-from-time-of-emperor-hadrian"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A remarkable Roman-era hoard has been discovered in Germany, consisting of over 900 silver denarii coins from the reign of Emperor Hadrian. The hoard, weighing almost 7 pounds (3.1 kilograms), was unearthed approximately a year ago in a field near the city of Wesseling, south of Cologne. The coins, spanning nearly three centuries, were buried around the time of Hadrian's emperorship (A.D. 117-138) and include some dating back to the Roman Republic (148 B.C.) and the Flavian emperors (A.D. 69-96).\n\nMetal detectorist Oliver Riedl discovered the hoard and immediately informed the regional archaeological authorities when his detector signaled something larger underground. The hoard is now on display at the Rhineland Regional Museum in Bonn. Archaeologists believe the coins were collected by the original owner for most of the 100s but were buried during Hadrian's reign, when the owner likely feared for their safety.\n\nExperts suggest that the hoard may have been buried shortly after the most recent coin was minted, indicating that the owner intended to keep the treasure safe. The historical value of such a hoard was considerable during the second century A.D., with 300 denarii representing a year's salary for a Roman legionary.",
  "summary": "More than 900 Roman silver coins from the time of the Emperor Hadrian were found in Germany by a metal detectorist.",
  "key_points": [
    "Metal detectorist Oliver Riedl found Roman-era hoard in Germany.",
    "Hoard contains 900+ silver denarii coins from Hadrian's reign (117-138 AD).",
    "Coins include some from Roman Republic and Flavian emperors."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}