Archaeologists discovered a copper alloy Roman coin at the site of Knowe of Swandro, Rousay, Scotland. The site is known for its Neolithic chambered tomb, Iron Age roundhouses and Pictish buildings.

The coin discovered on the site, which is facing risk from coastal erosion, is believed to date to the middle of 4th century AD. It was discovered within a small Iron Age roundhouse. Other finds from that site have been dated to about the second and fourth centuries AD. The coin depicts a bust of a person – possibly the emperor – on its obverse, and a standing figure with an image of goddess Victoria on the reverse. Researchers also discovered evidence of iron working and copper alloy casting in a later Pictish building. According to the experts, just seven other Roman coins had previously been found on the Orkney isles.

(after BBC News & Swandro-Orkney Coastal Archaeology Trust)