42 RKCENT DISCOVERV OK ROMAN COINS AT .SHIPI.KV. 



The surrounding neighbourliood has been disturbed for many 

 years by the getting of coal, but no similar discovery has been 

 made previously. 



In some respects the occurrence bears points of resemblance to 

 the well known '• finds" at Greenhill Lane, near Ripley, in 1730, 

 1740, and 1748 respectively. 



As already stated, Shipley lies somewhat out of the way of 

 usual Roman discoveries in Derbyshire, and as such opens up a 

 new phase in our local history. 



It is well known that the Romans worked the lead mines of the 

 High Peak, and several of our historians have spoken of a 

 highway connecting that district with the Roman Causennis (or 

 what other name Nottingham may have been known by). 



Shipley lies in the line of communication between these places, 

 and between many others lying on the Great Fosse Way and the 

 uplands of Derbyshire. It is also within easy distance of the old 

 Derby and Mansfield Road, a road which, althougii the fact has 

 been entirely overlooked by our local historians, possesses many 

 claims of a Roman origin. 



These circumstances in themselves are sufficient to show that 

 the locality was frequented during the Roman period both for 

 military and industrial purposes, but the whole phase which is 

 usually put upon Roman life in this country is, without doubt, 

 too limited. 



During the second century, whicii may be put down as the 

 "golden age" of Roman Britain, there is just grounds for 

 supposing that not only Derbyshire, but nearly the whole of the 

 country enjoyed a high state of civilization ; a state in which 

 agriculture and industry flourished, and in which the essential 

 traits of Roman life were paving the way for a Heaven-sent 

 mission, whose brightest prospects shall cover the earth " as the 

 waters cover the sea." 



In the small matter of roads, it is a mistake to assume that the 

 Romans had no other means of communication than that supplied 

 by their excellent system of raised highways. Like ourselves, 

 these intrepid pioneers liad learnt that the nearest way between 



