THE DISCOVERY of a silver Celtic coin on farmland between Petersfield and West Meon has ignited debate over the importance of the area in Roman times.
Metal detectorist Peter Beasley believes there was a major pre-Roman or early Roman settlement on farmland between Bramdean and West Meon crossroads; the precise location is being kept under wraps for now.
And he says the finding of the rare coin earlier this year, and two hoards of mixed Iron Age gold coins and Roman jewellery he and a colleague found nearby ten years ago, add weight to his theory.
He said: “Several years ago, a Celtic chariot linch pin was found on the north side of what I believe is a chariot race track and a Roman chariot linch pin was found on the south side.
“The course is complete from end to end. Only Celtic gold coins have been found all around it. It is my opinion that this chariot course was for rich Celts, and there are lots of Celtic and early Roman pottery shards around.
“I found the Celtic coin this year and some experts said it came from a small tribe of Celts who fled here after the battle of Alecia in Gaul in France, which was won by the Romans.
“I think it and the earlier hoards show that from Bramdean to Winchester was heavily populated and farmed by pre and post Roman invasion peoples.
“I think there is evidence of a high status person living there, a chariot race track, and a temple. Historically, it is a very important and significant valley.”
A recent aerial survey of the South Downs from Petersfield to Arundel show a high level of pre and post Roman farming.
Petersfield archaeologist Peter Price believes that this activity continued westward to Winchester.
He said: “We know the Meon valley and the land from Petersfield to West Meon was settled.
“And it may have been far more populated than we first thought.
“But I don’t think there is a chariot course, or circus, there, it’s more likely to be a Roman road, which were known to be up to 60ft wide.”