2017-11-21 Tue

Archaeologists from National Centre for Scientific Research and other institutions in France have discovered 2,200 silver deniers and oboles, 21 Islamic gold dinars, an expensive gold signet ring and other gold objects from the Abbey of Cluny, in the department of Saone-et-Loire. The researchers have never discovered such a large cache of silver deniers before. They claimed that it is very rare to find silver pieces with Arab gold coins and a signet ring together.

Cluny was one of the largest abbeys of Western Europe during the Middle Ages. Scientists believe that the coins were buried in the location almost 850 years ago. Experts said that only few people could own signet rings and gold dinars in those days. Silver deniers were more commonly used while gold coins were used only for special transactions.

These unusual gold dinars were struck between 1121 and 1131 under the reign of Ali ibn Yusuf (1106–1143), from the Berber Almoravid dynasty. The gold ring has a red intaglio featuring an image of a god and an inscription that dates the ring to the first half of the 12th century. Researchers hope that the find will help in revealing the secrets behind the historic of Cluny.