Archaeologists have identified a rare, 2,000-year-old Roman artefact known as the ‘Berlanga Cup,’ discovered in the soil of the La Cerrada de Arroyo site in Soria, Spain. This cup is made from bronze and is a very rare example of what are known as ‘Hadrian's Wall Series’ vessels, and these normally come with decorative enamel work and inscriptions identifying Roman legions and the military fortifications built by those legions.
Most of the known examples of ‘Hadrian's Wall Series’ vessels are made in the area that contains the western portion of Hadrian's Wall, while this example is noted as being the only example of a ‘Hadrian's Wall Series’ boot that documents the eastern portion of Hadrian's Wall, specifically the forts located in the western part, such as Benwell and Halton Chesters. Scholars are suggesting that this cup might possibly have been given as a personal gift to a soldier, and it may have been given to that soldier in memory of his service to the Cohors I Celtiberorum when he returned home to Roman Spain. This unique vessel bridges the archaeological gap between Britain and Hispania, offering vital evidence of veteran mobility and the deep emotional connection Roman soldiers maintained with their frontier service through tangible commemorative objects. Its presence in Spain underscores the sprawling reach of Roman culture and the lifelong pride veterans felt for their service.
