The bay of Portitxol de Xàbia in Alicante has been the setting in which a recent find is located that could not only have great historical value but also great economic value. This is the surprising Roman treasure that two diving enthusiasts have found in Alicante.
The surprising Roman treasure that two diving enthusiasts have found in Alicante
It has been in the bay of Portitxol de Xàbia in Alicante, where a precious Roman treasure has been found composed of 53 gold coins that according to experts date from the 4th and 5th centuries AD, the times, among others, of the Emperor Arcadio.
The finding is attributed to Luis Lens and César Gimeno, two amateur freedivers who, after identifying eight coins on the seabed of a small cove in the bay of Portitxol in Xàbia where they were diving , alerted the competent authorities. Specifically, the important cargo was recovered by the special submarine brigade of the Spanish Civil Guard (GEAS) flanked by a group of researchers from the University of Alicante.
The bay of Portitxol is an area well known for the abundance of underwater archaeological remains ; in fact, it is not the first time that treasures have been found in this place. Among the previous findings we can include: anchors, amphoras, ceramics and other artifacts associated with ancient navigation.
The precious cargo recovered has a total of 53 gold coins of Roman origin , which according to the research group represent: the era of Valentinian I (3 coins), Valentinian II (7 coins), Theodosius I (15 coins), Arcadius (17 coins) , Honorius (10 coins) and a coin not yet identified.
Found 53 gold coins from the 4th and 5th centuries on the seabed of Portitxol de Xàbia.
The University of Alicante, @ajuntamentXabia and @generalitat will carry out a campaign of underwater excavations to investigate the area.
More at: https: //t.co/q7Dw63rNeV # archeology pic.twitter.com/7XdI99QF4z– University of Alicante UA (@UA_Universidad) September 21, 2021
In this regard, the professor of Ancient History Jaime Molina, from the University of Alicante, said : « This find represents one of the largest sets of Roman gold coins found in Spain and Europe. It is an exceptional archaeological and historical find, since it can offer a multitude of new information to understand the final phase of the fall of the Western Roman Empire .
In addition, the researchers affirmed that the coins will be duly restored to later be exhibited at the Soler Blasco Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum in Xàbia.