Archaeologists have identified a rare 2,000-year-old Roman artifact known as the Berlanga Cup, discovered in the soil of the La Cerrada de Arroyo site in Soria, Spain. This cup is made of bronze and is a very rare example of what are known as “Hadrian’s Wall Series” vessels, which typically come with decorative enamel work and inscriptions identifying the Roman legions and the military fortifications built by those legions.Most of the known examples of ‘Hadrian’s Wall Series’ vessels were made in the area containing the western part of Hadrian’s Wall, while this example is noted as the only example of a ‘Hadrian’s Wall Series’ pavement documenting the eastern part of Hadrian’s Wall, specifically the forts located in the western part, such as Penwell and Halton Chesters. Scholars suggest that this cup may have been given as a personal gift to a soldier, and may have been presented to that soldier in memory of his service at Cohors I Celtiberorum when he returned home to Roman Spain.
Berlanga Cup: New evidence found on Hadrian’s Wall in Spain
The discovery of the Berlanga Cup (now identified in the journal Britannia) has provided a unique opportunity to understand how military souvenirs were distributed throughout the Roman Empire. According to a magazine published in Cambridge, the cup is the largest of Hadrian’s Wall basins known, measuring approximately 114 mm in diameter and 81 mm in height. The outside of the cup has elaborate decorative designs, including horizontal friezes of color (i.e
(red, green, turquoise and navy) enamel, and an inscription along the upper edge, which mentions four different forts located on the eastern side of Hadrian’s Wall: Silornum (Chesters), Ono (Halton Chesters), Vindopala (Rodchester), and Condercum (Penwell).
How did the cup reach Spain?
As mentioned in a magazine published in Cambridge, the cup was found at the Roman site “La Cerrada de Arroyo” in Berlanga de Duero and is currently in the Nomantine Museum in Soria.
The researchers used ground-penetrating radar (GPR), along with detailed archaeological surveys of the objects, to place the cup in the context of its geographical location. The discovery of the cup in Spain, an area far from the Roman border, supports the previously suggested hypothesis that these types of artefacts served as trophies for Roman soldiers.
Scholars have concluded that the cup was probably made or purchased by a war veteran who wanted to commemorate his military service while stationed in Britain before returning home to Roman Celtiberia.
Uncovering the secrets of the Grail through modern science
In addition to its historical narrative, the Berlanga Cup has undergone rigorous scientific investigations to ensure its authenticity and provenance. The researchers used portable X-ray spectrometry (pXRF) to perform archaeological characterization of the metal alloys. The analysis revealed a composition of lead metal – a common material in 2nd century AD Roman metalwork – containing trace elements of silver and antimony consistent with mineral assemblages frequently found in Roman Britain.
Furthermore, experts used advanced 3D virtual technologies to create a “digital twin” of the ship. This reconstruction allowed scientists to piece together the broken pieces virtually, facilitating precise measurements of their dimensions and a clear reading of the inscriptions obscured by deformation.
