Golden Relic Identified as Plaque From Third Century

An ancient golden relic uncovered beneath York station in 1872 has always intrigued archeologists, but after 150 years they have finally identified the historic object.

According to The Independent, the small plate that was found alongside a female skeleton and coin is a Roman mouth plaque that dates back to the third century.

Only 23 such plaques have been found around the world, and this is the first to be uncovered in Britain.

A team at Yorkshire Museum explained that the golden relic was traditionally used to cover the mouth of a dead body and signified a person of high status.

Experts may finally know what the gold plate is, but they are now faced with various other questions, such as what the relic was used for, and how.

Further tests carried out on the female skeleton could shed light on the 1,800-year-old golden plaque.

Researchers believe the woman died between the age of 18 and 30, and they are hoping to establish where she was from through DNA testing and stable isotope analysis.

The fake silver coin which she was buried with could also provide further answers.

The coin is dated between 202 to 210, and features the face of Septimius Severus on one side and Fortuna, the goddess of luck on the other, although it is not clear whether the woman was buried during Severus’ rein from 193 to 211.

History Today noted that Severus ruled Rome with his sons Caracalla and Geta as Caesars as a military dictator.

He died after ruling for 18 years from a serious illness, Livius.org noted.

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