British archaeologists baffled by symbols on gold earring disc

[Blackleaf]

A gold earring disc, found in Norfolk (in eastern England) by a metal detector enthusiast, has left treasure experts baffled as to the exact meaning of its decoration.

Discovered in Keswick, near Norwich, the disc "is an unusual find for the Roman period", said a Norwich Castle Museum spokesman.

It features a scorpion, phallus, snake and crab, but the meaning of the combination "is lost" an expert said.

The Norwich museum hopes to acquire the disc for its collection.

The value of the item will now be determined by experts at the British Museum.


Read more: BBC News - Norwich Castle Museum set to acquire 'curious' treasure

 

[captain morgan]

The explanation is elementary my dear Blackleaf.

The symbolic references describe the perils of visiting brothels in Norfolk... One can expect to get crabs and experience the sting (scorpion) of other related STDs in one's 'phallus' in being tempted by sin (snake reference goes to the snake from the Garden of Eden).

Quite frankly, I'm baffled that the scientific community didn't glean this obvious explanation from the start.

 

[Spade]

Except for the crab there isn't anything English about the other three. It obviously was picked up as a souvenir somewhere in the Mediterranean.

 

[eh1eh]

Ha!
Looks like the 'Flying Spaghetti Monster' to me.

 

[captain morgan]

Except for the crab there isn't anything English about the other three. It obviously was picked up as a souvenir somewhere in the Mediterranean.

Your's is a novice mistake... Nothing to be ashamed of, it's simply a function of experience and learning.

You see, the Romans imported much from the Mediterranean when they advanced on Norfolk. Clearly, the most compelling souvenir(s) that were garnered in Eastern England were a raft of scalding STDs as evidenced by the artifact.

 

[Spade]

I can understand why British Archaeologists were baffled by the images on the coin. I wonder who pointed out the phallus to them.

 

[captain morgan]

I can understand why British Archaeologists were baffled by the images on the coin. I wonder who pointed out the phallus to them.

Possibly the wife of one of the archeologists.

 

[Blackleaf]

Except for the crab there isn't anything English about the other three.

England has snakes, scorpions and phalluses.

 

[captain morgan]

Scorpions?.. Really?

 

[karrie]

Ha!
Looks like the 'Flying Spaghetti Monster'

So typical of the religious to see what they want to see .

 

[petros]

It features a scorpion, phallus, snake and crab, but the meaning of the combination "is lost" an expert said.

Scorpio, not sure, Draco and Cancer. ****ing morons!

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I know that Golden Earring was a 70s band and is considered old to some people but I am baffled why one would be puzzled finding one of their disks.

 

[petros]

I know that Golden Earring was a 70s band and is considered old to some people but I am baffled why one would be puzzled finding one of their disks.

Generation Y doesn't know what a 45 is.

Scorpio, not sure, Draco and Cancer. ****ing morons!

Solved....the phallic one is Orion.

 

[Blackleaf]

Scorpions?.. Really?

A British "European yellow-tailed scorpion."

 

[captain morgan]

Interesting... I always thought that scorpions needed very warm climates to survive.

Is it poisonous or akin to being stung by a wasp?

 

[karrie]

Interesting... I always thought that scorpions needed very warm climates to survive.

The Canadian Encyclopedia

 

[captain morgan]

smart a$$!

 

[karrie]

Euscorpius flavicaudis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

smart a$$!

Lol I just figured that you might find it interesting that we have some here in Canada.

 

[captain morgan]

You sure are in an academic mood... And I do appreciate the links (and schooling) by the way.

Thanks

 

[karrie]

I like when i find a question i dont know the answer to that is something as refreshingly different as what a scorpions sting is like in cool countries.