Laura Beckwith

@laurabeckwith.bsky.social

Archaeologist, Finds Liaison Officer (FLO) for Somerset, gardener, gamer, Roman enthusiast. All views my own.

I was in Carhampton yesterday giving a talk on recent finds from Somerset. What a lovely group of people with loads of interesting finds in their heritage centre that have been found locally - well worth a visit!

Bild

I'll be at Castle Cary Museum tomorrow! I won't be taking finds in for recording this time, but will be spreading the word about the PAS and the work we do. My specialism is archaeological finds, so I will be able to comment on anything aged AD 1700 - 500,000 BC. See you there!

Bild

A lion, a star, and a name that no longer needs writing. This striking Roman intaglio ring, found at the Union Grounds in Colchester, dates to the 3rd century AD. The deep blue gem is nicolo paste, a dark glass used to imitate more expensive stones, and it’s been engraved with a lion beneath a star.

Close-up of a Roman ring with a deep blue glass intaglio set in a bronze bezel. The engraved image shows a lion walking beneath a small star. The ring is worn but still clearly detailed, with a rich patina on the metal and a glossy surface to the gem.

I am on annual leave from today until Wednesday. If you find a hoard insitu please contact myself via DM or the NCMD hoard hotline (see linktree), leave covered in the ground for excavation by archaeologists. If in doubt, don't dig it out! Have a good bank holiday all ☺️

Have you found something you think might be an archaeological object? Come along to a Finds Day! I can take a look at your finds, give an ID and create a record for the PAS database. (Finds will be borrowed for 4 months.) For upcoming Finds Days in 2025 check the link in bio.