Rare Roman silver coins discovered in India

A team of archeologists have excavated Roman silver coins at Anuvanahalli in Tarikere taluk in Chikmagalur.

It is now believed that the Romans might have tried to trade in medicinal plants which were found abundantly in the region given that the site looks like a herbal medicine preparation plant. 

A team of experts are working on the site focusing on the possible reasons for the Romans' interest in the area. The team led by N S Rangaraju, professor of ancient history and archaeology, the University of Mysore, commenced the project with the funding from the UGC and excavated many items that date back to prehistoric, neolithic and megalithic cultures.

"During the excavation at Anuvanahalli, we have excavated four Roman coins. A few Roman pottery pieces have also been unearthed from the site," Rangaraju said on Saturday.

The team also got many stone weights in different sizes and shapes. "This is leading us to believe that this site might have been used as herbal medicine preparation centre during the Shatavahana period. 

A team comprising retired IFS officer D R Ramesh Singh, biochemistry professor Vishwanath and botany professor Ganeshaiah has visited the site and research is on," he told reporters at the excavation site.

Given the evidences, it can be argued that Chikmagalur district, which was famous for medicinal plants, might have attracted the Romans to trade in herbal medicines. This is the first time in hundred years that Roman coins have been found in Karnataka. The last time they were excavated was in 1909 at Chandravalli, he said.

Anuvanahalli-Haluru site was earlier excavated in 1990-91 when farmer A V Hayanna stumbled upon some important antiquities. 

The team began excavation on a 35-acre plot in March with the assistance of 60 students and research scholars. During 1881 to 1896, a foreigner, Robert Bruce Foote had conducted excavation at Kadur, Lingadalli, Nidaghatta, Sakkarepatna and Kaldurga in the district and discovered a few paleolithic hand axes and other artifacts.

Among the prehistoric antiquities that have been unearthed include tools that are dated 1,200 BC to 800 BC. Over 20 polished stone axes made of trap rock are recovered which are from neolithic culture. 

These antiquities belong to 800 BC to 400 BC. Iron implements from megalithic culture, also called as Iron age, are also discovered. This apart, 30 coins of the Shatavahana period have been excavated , he added.