Rare 1st century vase comes to the Island for restoration

The fragile vase, which is being held together largely by compacted sand inside and out, was found alongside human remains and jewellery at Longis Common in Alderney in June by workmen who were laying electricity cable.

The pot may also contain a hidden treasure as an X-ray showed that there was something inside – although what this is will only be revealed when the sand is removed.

After being flown from Alderney to Guernsey the vase was transported to Jersey via ferry and is now being restored in the laboratory at La Hougue Bie. Neil Mahrer, museums conservator for Jersey Heritage, is removing the sand from the vase in an effort to restore it to its near-original state.

The artefacts were found on a site a few metres away from a Roman fort, called the Nunnery, which dates from the 4th century. Mr Mahrer believes that the vase is the only item dating back to the 1st century to be discovered in the Channel Islands. He is working alongside Phil de Jersey, archaeologist for the States of Guernsey, on restoring the artefacts.

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