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A stunning set of Roman jewellery and silver spoons which has attracted international attention has gone on display in the town where it was unearthed.

Half of the Thetford Treasure collection has been lent by the British Museum to the Ancient House Museum.

It forms the centrepiece of an exhibition of Roman artefacts found across Norfolk.

The spoons are intricately decorated

Until 13 December, people will be able to cast their eyes over the 44 pieces of distinctive jewellery and 33 spoons - normally on permanent display at London's British Museum - as well as other pieces uncovered at at Brampton, Kilverstone and Hockwold-cum-Wilton.

A person using a metal detector discovered what later became known as the Thetford Treasure in 1979 - believed to have been buried around 390 AD due to a clamp down on religious cults.

Archaeologists were unable to make further studies at the site where the treasure was unearthed because the find was not reported for a while.

'International importance'

British Museum curator Richard Hobbs said: "The Thetford Treasure is of national and international importance as it contains one of the finest sets of late Roman silver plate and jewellery known from the late Roman period."

The exhibition is the third display which the Ancient House has staged since its £1.6m revamp in 2006 and the artefacts have been loaned as part of the British Museum's partnership scheme to let people across the country have easy access to its collections.

Ancient House Museum curator Oliver Bone said: "We're very pleased that the British Museum has allowed us to show these pieces here."

The Thetford Treasure, Romans Rediscovered will feature a number of eye-catching objects including a gold belt buckle, a duck-handled spoon, a small figure of Mercury, a key handle showing a lion eating a man and sets of blacksmith and farming tools.

To help people understand what the Romans did for us, a range of adult-only talks and craft workshops have been arranged by the museum.

Subjects to be covered include Roman Norfolk, Romans In The Fens, Thetford And Roman Treasures In Norfolk and Venta Icenorum: The Roman Town At Caistor St Edmund.

Booking is essential on 01842 752599 for all talks and workshops. For a list of opening times and admission prices, go to the Norfolk Museums And Archaeology Service website.