The Hidden Celtic Treasure of Jersey

Why was a massive treasure buried on the southeastern coast of Jersey (UK) during the Iron Age around 2,000 years ago? Recently, archaeologists have unraveled this mystery.

When 70,000 silver coins, 11 gold torcs, and Celtic jewelry were unearthed in a field at Le Câtillon, Jersey—an island in the English Channel—back in 2012, archaeologists were baffled. They could not understand why such an enormous treasure had been hidden in an isolated location, far from known Celtic settlements and trade routes.

After years of research, scientists have finally found the answer. According to a recent article in the journal Wreckwatch, the Celts may have once lived in the area, contradicting the earlier belief that Jersey was a remote and uninhabited land in the mid-1st century BCE.

When the treasure was discovered in 2012, amateur metal detectorists Reg Mead and Richard Miles immediately reported it to Jersey Heritage, an organization responsible for managing the island’s historical sites. As Jersey is a Crown dependency, the treasure was handled under the UK Treasure Act of 1996 and was later purchased by the Jersey government for £4.25 million. The artifacts are now on display at La Hougue Bie Museum in Jersey.

Finding the treasure in Jersey was no accident—Reg Mead and Richard Miles had been searching the area for 30 years. Their treasure hunt began after hearing a local woman’s story about how her father had once discovered a few ancient coins in a nearby field. She couldn’t recall the exact location, and the landowner only permitted one search per year, after harvest season. Eventually, their patience paid off.

According to Jersey Heritage, this hoard is six times larger than any previously discovered Celtic treasure. Researchers believe it originated from ancient Armorica, a region in modern-day Brittany and Normandy, France, as most of the coins belong to a Celtic tribe from France called the Coriosolitae. The name Coriosolitae derives from corios, meaning ‘army’ or ‘warband’ in the Celtic language.

It is highly likely that the treasure was transported during the chaotic mid-1st century BCE, a time of turmoil during the Gallic Wars (58–50 BCE), when Julius Caesar’s Roman forces invaded Gaul—an area that includes present-day France, Belgium, and Switzerland. Historical records from 57 BCE describe the Coriosolitae as part of the last alliance resisting Caesar’s legions.

The transportation of the hoard to Jersey was likely a desperate attempt to keep it out of Roman hands. “Jersey was probably considered a safer location than hiding these valuables on the mainland of Armorica,” said Dr. Phil de Jersey, an expert in Celtic coinage.

Researchers conducted the largest geophysical survey ever undertaken in the Channel Islands (a Crown dependency of the UK in the English Channel, off the coast of Normandy, France). Using advanced geophysical techniques, the team identified linear magnetic anomalies stretching for dozens of meters, arranged in parallel and perpendicular patterns, some forming divisions resembling late Iron Age rural settlements in northern France.

These discoveries strengthen the theory that the treasure was buried in an area inhabited by humans. It is highly possible that the site had religious or ceremonial significance. “It is no coincidence that the Celts chose this location,” remarked Dr. Hervé Duval-Gatignol, an archaeologist at Société Jersiaise. “Hoard deposits like this were often placed in Celtic temples, and the Le Câtillon hoard may have been part of such a ritual.” The fear of divine punishment could explain why those who buried the treasure never retrieved it.

Dr. Sean Kingsley, editor-in-chief of Wreckwatch and an archaeologist with over 30 years of experience studying more than 350 shipwrecks, noted that the Celts were innovative sailors and shipbuilders. By the time Caesar attacked Brittany in 56 BCE, the Celts were well-versed in maritime trade. Their deep understanding of tides, sandbanks, winds, weather patterns, and docking sites had been passed down for generations. “They knew exactly how to navigate through treacherous waters and avoid hazards,” Dr. Kingsley stated.

“With the dangerous sandbanks near Jersey’s entrances, the treasure may have been transported on a boat made of animal hide, similar to the golden boat model found in the Broighter Hoard in Northern Ireland, dating to the 1st century BCE. These boats featured a single sail, a steering oar near the stern, and nine oars on each side, allowing them to withstand strong winds and steer clear of reefs. The vessels were waterproofed with treated animal hide, securely fastened to a lightweight wooden frame. Though seemingly fragile, they were, in fact, sturdy, light, and flexible—perfect for navigating the unpredictable Atlantic waves or landing on small inlets,” he explained.

The new findings also raise further questions: Was Le Câtillon a secret minting site? Was the hoard an offering to the gods? Or was it a final effort to safeguard a tribe’s wealth? Further research is necessary to answer these mysteries.

“We believe this area held great spiritual significance for the Celts, carrying the power of their ancestors from millennia before. It is linked to a massive Neolithic stone tomb located on the hilltop above the treasure site,” Dr. Kingsley said. “These fields have something truly special. The spiritual energy of the ancestors may be the key reason why this treasure was brought to Jersey.”