Roman artefacts are unearthed in Shropshire dig
Historical artefacts dating back to Roman times were among the items discovered in an archaeological dig in Shropshire.
About 20 people armed with metal detectors found hammered coins dating back to the 14th century and Roman fibulas, or brooches, during the dig.
They carried out a search on agricultural land near Newport yesterday.
Those taking part formed part of a metal detecting forum that was set up in July by Roger Gamblin, of Oswestry.
Mr Gamblin, 50, said: "We had several hammered coins, one dates back to the early 1300s and two around the 1500s. We also found two Roman fibulas dating to around the second or third century.
"A friend of mine from Cardiff is a bit of an artefacts expert so they will go to him and get recorded.
"There were 23 of us and we covered 67 acres.
"We charge everybody who attends a dig £8 which we give to the farmer who owns the land. He has kindly said half the proceeds will be going to charity, in this case Hope House.
"The best thing about my hobby is that you never know what you are going to find." Mr Gamblin added: "I started the forum in July and have 197 members now. We have been concentrating on the Lilleshall area.
"We have been going every Sunday but it is once a fortnight at the moment because of the time of year and the weather.
"Since July we have had six Bronze Age axe heads, a dagger, 70 hammered coins and 10 to 12 Roman fibulas. Anything that is over 300-years-old is nice to find. We get spurred on by finding anything of age."
For more information visit www.detecting-in-england.com
