Badger Credited With Discovering Hoard Of Ancient Roman Coins While Seeking Food

A stunning discovery that researchers believe is the “largest treasure trove” of Roman coins located in a cave in northern Spain has been credited to none other than the badger who discovered it. 

209 coins dating between the third and fifth century AD were uncovered from a cave in Grado, Asturias, located feet away from the den of a very hungry badger. 

Researchers have stated that heavy snow from the recent Storm Filomena had forced the small creature to go foraging for sustenance, digging at a small crack near its den hoping to find something. 

This “small crack” turned out to be the cave, hiding the collection of ancient Roman coins, according to dig director Alfonso Fanjul. Through its scavenging efforts, the badger had dug up around 90 of the coins, per CNN. 

“When we arrived we found the hole that led to the badger’s nest, and the ground around it full of coins,” Fanjul tells the news outlet. Further excavation revealed the remaining coins, which the team believes were hidden by refugees at the time who were looking for shelter in the area. 

“We think it’s a reflection of the social and political instability which came along with the fall of Rome and the arrival of groups of barbarians to northern Spain,” he states. 

The coin collection will go on display at the Archaeological Museum of Asturias after they have been cleaned, and further excavations are planned for the site. “We’ve taken out the first deposit, but we think there is a lot more to take out," Fanjul explains. 

“It’s a unique moment that you dream about from a young age… it’s an exceptional moment that you never think you will have as an archaeologist.”

It, however, remains unknown if the heroic creature managed to find its meal for the day.

[via The Guardian and CNN, images via A. Fanjul Peraza]