Római pénzek Jáváról

Abstract

Studying extra regional trade networks in Antiquity can be considered a relatively popular field of research, but the intensity and patterns of such a complex system still leaves lot of questions unanswered, particularly in the case of Rome’s Far Eastern contacts. Due to the meticulous work of international joint research projects working in East and Southeast Asia followed by a raised interest in collecting ancient objects among local people, an increasing number of Roman artefacts have been discovered in the region. At the same time, one must keep in mind that Roman objects discovered in East and Southeast Asia have different backgrounds, and most cases – due to extensive looting – are lacking an archaeologically secure context. Moreover, it is still less recognized that many of these Roman items can only be considered as quite recent, even modern arrivals thus lacking any connection to ancient networks and interactions. Taking the above considerations into account, the paper not only aims to introduce fourteen Indonesia-discovered Roman and Byzantine coins, but also intends to provide possible explanation(s) on how they ended up in East Java, a region that is terra incognita in regards of Roman studies.