Part of the lost treasure: a dish from Corbridge

In 1735, an ancient Roman treasure was discovered near Corbridge (England), which in subsequent years almost all was lost. Today, historians can study only one subject – a dish from Corbridge (Corbridge Lanx). It is a silver decorated plate for offerings or sacrifices. In 1993, the artifact was acquired by the British Museum, in the walls of which it is still located.

For almost 30 years after the discovery of the first object, silver objects were periodically found in Corbridge. It is unclear who eventually became their owner. Only the rectangular dish belonged to the Dukes of Northumberland. A mythological plot is depicted on its surface. On the right stands Apollo at the entrance to the temple, in his left hand he holds a bow, at his feet lies a lyre. Artemis and Athena are talking on the left. The two central female figures have not been identified. The lower part shows animals: a dog, a deer and a mythical griffin.

Judging by the style of the drawing, the dish was made in the IV century AD. There is no information about the place of manufacture, perhaps it was a large city of the Mediterranean or Asia Minor. Despite the lack of other items that would reveal more information about the entire treasure and in particular about the dish, historians got into the hands of sketches and descriptions of the finds made during the discovery. On one product, among the drawings of pagan themes, Christian symbols were depicted. On the site of Corbridge in ancient times was the ancient Roman fort of Coria, located a few kilometers from Hadrian's Wall. In the IV century AD. it was a fairly large center with a developed agriculture and industry, as evidenced by granaries and a pottery store.