Experts have unveiled more internationally significant finds dug up during the excavations at Colchester Garrison.
Roman treasure - a miniature bear carved from jet, held up on the tip of a gloved finger. Picture: STEVE ARGENT 40954-7
Museum chiefs are beside themselves with excitement over the perfectly preserved artifacts, discovered in graves unearthed near the Roman chariot-racing track at Abbey Field.
The most important of all is a lampstand - complete with bronze legs made to look like horses' feet which archaeologists suspect may have been buried along with a famous charioteer.
Nothing of the same design has been found before, even among the thousands of relics retrieved from the ruins of Pompeii.
The Gazette can today reveal it will stay in Colchester, after the British Museum agreed not to pursue a claim.
The other rare artifacts include a child's ring, fitted with a yet-to-be-identified gem-stone, and a tiny bear carved from jet that is thought to have been part of a necklace.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Wednesday, February 9, 2005
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