Discovery of rare gold coin reveals Aquileia's commercial power

New discoveries at Aquileia show the ancient city was a bustling Roman trading center with rare coins and a large river port system.

During excavations at the ancient city of Aquileia (in modern-day Italy), archaeologists found rare gold coins and evidence of a once-bustling Roman river port. The findings reveal new information about the city’s commercial power and its connection to the Roman Empire. Photo: Marco Almbauer / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain.

Archaeologists found the gold coins at the Fondo ex Pasqualis site on the southeastern edge of Aquileia, where excavations uncovered part of a large marketplace dating from the 1st to 4th centuries AD. Photo: Fondazione Aquileia/Facebook.

Under the paving stones of an archway, researchers found three gold coins engraved with the names of the Emperors: Valens, Magnus Maximus and Arcadius. Each gold coin has a different denomination and is considered extremely rare. Experts believe they were not in daily circulation but were probably royal gifts to members of the royal court. Photo: Fondazione Aquileia/Facebook.

The coins were apparently hidden away during times of danger and never recovered. Their discovery highlights Aquileia’s connection to the Roman Empire and its importance in the late Roman period. Photo: Fondazione Aquileia/Facebook.

Underneath the market complex, archaeologists also found materials dating back to the late 1st century AD, including 19 amphorae, in addition to the 23 discovered in 2024. The vessels were buried underground to form a drainage and stabilization system beneath a long, narrow chamber supported by stone columns. Photo: Fondazione Aquileia/Facebook.

The discovery suggests one or more storage areas were connected to a riverside dock. The findings suggest that the southern region of Aquileia once lay along a much wider river where goods were transported by water. Photo: Fondazione Aquileia/Facebook.

Researchers believe this area of ​​Aquileia was an important landing point for goods, underlining its importance as a commercial center of the Roman Empire. Excavations have also uncovered a cobblestone road running between two large buildings in the marketplace. Wheel marks in the stone suggest that carts once passed through the area, carrying goods and supplies. Photo: Fondazione Aquileia/Facebook.

According to research by experts, the market in Aquileia includes 6 large buildings, where food such as cereals, meat, vegetables and fruits were stored and sold. In the ruins at the western gate of the market, archaeologists found a large amount of burnt grain. Photo: Fondazione Aquileia/Facebook.

These artifacts will help experts better understand ancient food production and the daily lives of residents in the city of Aquileia. Photo: Fondazione Aquileia/Facebook.

After the market was destroyed, the area continued to be used. Excavations have uncovered small houses with fireplaces, workshops and a road built on the previous road. Several graves without burial objects have also been found and are now undergoing radiocarbon dating (C14) in the hope of unlocking more mysteries about Aquileia’s history. Photo: Fondazione Aquileia/Facebook.

Readers are invited to watch the video : Revealing lost civilizations through archaeological remains.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/phat-hien-dong-tien-vang-quy-hiem-he-lo-suc-manh-thuong-mai-cua-aquileia-post2149069130.html