Rare Roman lantern found in field near Sudbury

WELL DONE MR MILLS!


A metal detecting enthusiast has found what is believed to be the only intact Roman lantern made out of bronze ever discovered in Britain.

The lantern was found in a field near Sudbury in Suffolk

Danny Mills, 21, made the find in a field near Sudbury in Suffolk. The area was dotted with plush Roman villas and country estates in the second century.

The object, described as a rare example of Roman craftsmanship, has been donated to Ipswich Museum where it is now on display. In the autumn of 2009, Mr Mills, a metal detector user, found a large bronze object whilst metal detecting in a field near Sudbury.He immediately reported the discovery to Suffolk Archaeological Unit.

'Magnificent object'

A Colchester and Ipswich Museums (CIM) spokeswoman said: "It turned out to be the only complete example of a Roman lantern found in Britain.

"Only fragments of similar lanterns are held in the British Museum and the closest complete example is from the famous Roman site of Pompeii."