Roman gold ring found in Brittany in perfect state of preservation. 

                                 Credit: Emmanuelle Collado / INRAP

A team of archaeologists has discovered important historical objects in the town of Pacé (Brittany, France), from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. Among the most notable finds is a Roman gold ring, dated between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.The ring was discovered along a stretch of a road of Roman origin, studied as part of the excavations. 

This communication route, built between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD, is distinguished by its structure, which consists of a layer of quartz gravel on natural soil, bordered by lateral channels that mark its path. The visible scratches of the wheel testify to its intensive use during Antiquity.

The finely crafted ring, which has survived intact over time, features a finely carved setting and engravings in a semi-precious stone highly prized in Roman times for the production of gemstones. The image depicts Venus Victrix, the goddess who embodies victory, symbolizing beauty and strength.

Section of the ancient Roman road where the ring was found. Credit:                     Emmanuelle Ah Thon / INRAP

Venus Victrix was an iconic figure in ancient Rome, worshiped as the goddess of success in war and life. Its representation in jewelry like this has not only an ornamental purpose, but also had a spiritual and personal meaning.Rings with intaglios were common among the Roman elite, functioning both as personal ornaments and as distinctive seals to mark documents and wealth.

During the Roman era, infrastructure like the road where the ring was found not only facilitated trade and travel but also connected rural settlements with urban centers.

Carolingian coins found at the site. Credit: Coline Herbert / INRAP

In the case of Pacé, the road may have been connected to a nearby  establishment active between the 2nd and 4th centuries CE.The state of preservation and the design of the ring suggest that it probably belonged to a high-ranking individual, perhaps involved in trade or regional administration.This discovery is part of a larger archaeological investigation that includes finds from the late Bronze Age to the modern period. Highlights include a workshop for the production of bronze objects, funerary structures from the first millennium BC, Carolingian coins, and a medieval settlement that flourished between the 7th and 8th centuries.