ARCHAEOLOGISTS scratching through layers of history in Worcester have found an ancient Roman coin and a 200 year-old halfpenny.

The small coins were once separated by thousands of years, but now sit side by side in the increasingly full exhibition case on show in The Butts.

For the next eight weeks more finds will be added to the glass cabinet as they are unearthed. It is the perfect place to see and start to comprehend just how much history lies under our feet.

The Butts dig is now in its third week.

Professionals from Worcestershire County Council, working with volunteer members of the public, continue to find an abundance of Roman pottery – from locally made Malvernian to Samian ware imported from France.

Last week, they found three coins. The Roman denarius has been badly eroded making it impossible to date, but you can still make out the image of a Roman emperor stamped on its face.

The halfpenny dates to 1807 when King George III ruled England and slavery was abolished from the British Empire.

The team also dug up a 17th century coin of King Charles’ reign, indicating that there could be artefacts dating back to the Civil War hidden beneath the surface.

Tom Vaughan, field project manager, said: “There’s a big trench running across the site which we think was put there just after the city ditch was filled in.”

The ditch would have been outside the Mediaeval city, boundaries running along the length of the city walls.

“This coin could have been dropped in when they were filling it,” said Mr Vaughan.

“Or, it could have been thrown in before that.

“Finding it here helps us know when the ditch was filled in.”

Bits of pottery found in the same trench were described by archaeologists as “generic 17th and 18th century” and they, along with the coins, are now on display.

The site, adjoining The Butts car park, is open every day from 10am to 4pm until Sunday, October 12. Your Worcester News will be bringing you regular updates on the artefacts found. For more information go to wlhc.org.uk.