Archaeologists have unearthed a 2,000-year-old fossil in northwestern Spain, providing evidence that ancient Romans were fascinated by the remnants of extinct marine arthropods like trilobites, often incorporating them into amulets.
The trilobite fossil, dating from the Middle Ordovician period over 450 million years ago, was discovered preserved as a natural cast mineralized with iron oxide, giving it a distinctive reddish hue. Microscopic examination revealed seven artificial facets on the fossil, indicating it was deliberately modified for use as a pendant or bracelet. The absence of piercings suggests it was likely set in metal, such as gold or silver, for personal adornment.
The find occurred at the Roman settlement of A Cibdá de Armea and was unearthed alongside a bronze coin featuring Emperor Augustus, who reigned from 27 BC to 14 AD. Historical accounts, including those by the Roman biographer Suetonius, describe Augustus as a collector of fossils, displaying ancient items at his villa on the island of Capri and believing they belonged to mythical giants and monsters. The trilobite discovered at A Cibdá de Armea is considered the first confirmed trilobite from Roman times and is among a handful of such fossils worldwide found to have been deliberately collected and utilized by humans over a millennium ago.
Geochemical analysis indicates the fossil originated from central Spain, over 430 kilometers from the discovery site, suggesting it was transported along established Roman trade routes. This discovery offers insight into the cultural and symbolic significance of fossils in ancient Roman society, where they were often imbued with magical or protective powers. The Romans also created jewelry, such as glass and jet beads known as Trilobitenperlen, that mimicked the trilobite's ridged form, suggesting a broader cultural appreciation for these ancient creatures.
The study detailing this find, titled "Significance of fossils in Roman times: the first trilobite find in an early Empire context," was published in the journal *Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences*. It highlights how ancient peoples interpreted the natural world, imbuing unusual finds with deep meaning and utilizing them in ways that reflected their understanding of the cosmos.