ISLAMIC GOLD COIN HOARD UNEARTHED IN FRANCE

Archaeologists have discovered an 'exceptional' treasure trove of precious objects at the Abbey of Cluny, a former Benedictine monastery in France's Saône-et-Loire

More than 2,000 objects have been found, including silver deniers - or pennies - Islamic gold coins, a signet ring and several gold items.

The discovery is the first time that gold coins from the Arab lands, silver French deniers and a signet ring have ever been found together in a single, enclosed complex.

Researchers from the Universite Lumiere Lyon discovered the items as part of an archaeological dig at the Abbey of Cluny, which started in 2015.

The team discovered 2,200 silver deniers and oboles - a silver-alloy coin of France issued during the Middle Ages - in a cloth bag.

They were mostly minted by the Abbey of Cluny and probably dated to the first half of the 12th century.

These were found alongside a tanned hide bundle containing 21 Islamic gold dinar coins dated between 1121 and 1131 from Spain and Morocco, under the reign of Ali ibn Yusuf (1106-1143).

To read the complete article, see:
'Exceptional' medieval treasure trove of 2,200 pieces of silver, 21 Islamic gold coins and a stunning signet ring are found in a French abbey after being buried for more than eight centuries (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5084983/Archaeologists-buried-medieval-treasure-French-abbey.html)

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