Roman jewellery defined as being of national importance has been discovered during excavations at an Essex department store. Gold and silver armlets, bracelets, rings and coins were found concealed in the remains of a Roman house beneath Williams and Griffin in Colchester. It is thought they were hidden by their wealthy owner in AD61, when Boudicca’s British tribes burnt down the town. Colchester Archaeological Trust said it was a remarkable Roman collection. The jewellery was found during renovation work at the shop, which is part of the Fenwick group and currently undergoing a £30m redevelopment.
