• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Thousands of ignored ‘nummi minimi’ coins lost by pilgrims discovered in ancient Marea in Egypt

by Dario Radley
December 12, 2023

Numismatists from the Faculty of Archaeology at the University of Warsaw have unveiled a wealth of information about Egypt’s monetary circulation at the end of antiquity. The findings, stemming from the examination of thousands of previously overlooked small coins in Marea, a city near Alexandria, challenge the established narrative.

Thousands of ignored ‘nummi minimi’ coins lost by pilgrims found in ancient Marea in Egypt
Credit: University of Warsaw

Marea, also known as Philoxenite during the Byzantine period, occupies a significant place in history. Founded at the end of the 5th century, it evolved into a prominent city with impressive architectural structures and infrastructure during Emperor Justinian’s reign. Positioned on the southern shore of Lake Mareotis, Marea served as a crucial stopover for pilgrims en route to the tomb of Saint Menas, a revered martyr of early Christianity in the Egyptian desert.

The extensive archaeological research in Marea, conducted by the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology UW since 2000, has been spearheaded by Professor Tomasz Derda. Current ongoing excavations encompass the exploration of various sites, such as a substantial bath complex and an impressive basilica constructed during the era of Justinian.

A pivotal aspect of this research involves numismatic exploration, led by Dr. Piotr Jaworski and his team, examining nearly 8,500 Byzantine and Umayyad coins. The majority of these coins initially deemed insignificant due to their small size (nummi minimi), have proven to be crucial in reshaping the understanding of Egypt’s monetary circulation.

“The importance of the research we conduct in Marea cannot be overestimated because the material culture of this rich Byzantine city gives an idea about the most important city in the region – Alexandria,” said Dr. Jaworski.

RelatedStories

Roman coin hoard discovered by Romanian metal detectorist is among the country’s largest

Roman coin hoard discovered by Romanian metal detectorist is among the country’s largest

May 13, 2025
Rare Roman gold coin found in Scottish Borders to be displayed

Rare Roman gold coin found in Scottish Borders to be displayed

April 3, 2025

The unexpected findings challenge existing literature on Byzantine coinage in Alexandria. Most publications had focused on the coinage of Byzantine Alexandria, with reference material provided by discoveries from nearby Abu Mena, compiled by Hans-Christoph Noeske. The newly unearthed evidence suggests that Egypt was part of an economic zone extending beyond its borders, covering large areas of the eastern Mediterranean, with parallels found in present-day Israel.

One key revelation is the dominance of nummi minimi, coins with diameters of only a few millimeters, in the discovered hoards. Previously marginalized in scientific publications, these coins have proven to be invaluable in reconstructing the monetary history of the region. The vast majority of nummi minimi were found stored in pouches, with remnants scattered across the research site.

Among the nummi minimi, the researchers identified coins minted in Carthage by Vandal kings and later by Justinian after reclaiming Africa from the barbarians. Additionally, small Ostrogothic coins, similar to Vandal coins, circulated widely in the eastern Mediterranean after the demise of the Ostrogothic kingdom by Justinian.

Notably, a significant percentage of the coins found in Marea are local Egyptian imitations, including those inspired by the coinage of the Kingdom of Aksum and imitations of Byzantine coins minted in Alexandria.

An intriguing discovery within the nummi minimi category includes blanks – empty coin discs made of copper or lead – serving as substitute coins. This diversity in coinage provides a nuanced understanding of the economic interactions and influences prevalent in the region during the late antiquity period.

In the words of Dr. Jaworski, “The results of numismatic research conducted in Marea are surprising because they paint a picture of monetary circulation in Egypt at the end of antiquity that differs from that known from literature.”

This multidisciplinary research project is funded by the Polish National Science Center.

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

New exhibition unveils rare artifacts and final voyage of 17th-century warship ‘The London’ Credit: Southend Central Museum
Archaeology

New exhibition unveils rare artifacts and final voyage of 17th-century warship ‘The London’

June 26, 2025
Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe
Archaeology

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe, new research reveals

June 25, 2025
Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history
Archaeology

Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

June 25, 2025
Hidden treasures uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past
Archaeology

Hidden artifacts uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

June 24, 2025
Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network
Archaeology

Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network

June 24, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns
Archaeology

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

New exhibition unveils rare artifacts and final voyage of 17th-century warship ‘The London’ Credit: Southend Central Museum

New exhibition unveils rare artifacts and final voyage of 17th-century warship ‘The London’

June 26, 2025
Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe

Shakespeare’s famous “upstart crow” insult may have come from collaborator Thomas Nashe, new research reveals

June 25, 2025
Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

Ancient mosaics and sacred inscriptions uncovered in Turkey’s Olympos reveal early Christian history

June 25, 2025
Hidden treasures uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

Hidden artifacts uncovered during A47 roadworks reveal secrets of Norfolk’s past

June 24, 2025
Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network

Lost Tiwanaku temple unearthed in Bolivia reveals ancient Andes trade and ritual network

June 24, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.