Wessex Archaeology announced the discovery of the unusual eight-sided ring in a Facebook post on May 8. Ancient Rome has long been a subject of fascination, and this find adds to the ongoing narrative of Roman influence in Britain. The ring, found in a former drainage ditch in Lincolnshire, is dated between 200 and 410 A.D., a period when the Roman province of Britannia was in its prime.
Historians speculate that the ring’s owner, who lived through the Roman occupation of Britain, may have lost it during a period of daily life. The artifact’s design, with its eight-sided structure, is considered uncommon in the UK, though similar examples have been found before. The ring is made of copper alloy, a material frequently used in Roman jewelry, and its craftsmanship offers insight into the technological and artistic achievements of the era.
This discovery comes as part of a wave of recent Roman-era finds in the UK. In the same timeframe, a Roman road was uncovered in London, and a Roman grave filled with gypsum was found during a highway construction project. These finds collectively illustrate the extent of Roman influence in Britain and the continued importance of archaeological research in uncovering the region’s rich historical past. The ring’s accidental loss by its owner 1,600 years ago has now provided a rare glimpse into the lives of Roman citizens who once inhabited the British Isles.