A TEAM of archaeologists from the University of Bradford have helped uncover a Roman coin in the far flung Orkney Islands.

The coin is one of only a handful found on the Scottish islands, an area the Romans are not thought to have ever reached.

The university team is working on the coastal archaeological site in Orkney along with The University of the Highlands and Islands.

The dig there has been described as a “race against time” due to the coastal erosion constantly threatening to wash the site, and any of its buried treasures, out to sea forever.

The copper alloy coin was found at the Knowe of Swandro on Rousay, the location of a Neolithic chambered tomb, Iron Age roundhouses and Pictish buildings.

It was found at the site of a small roundhouse which the team was excavating.

The Swandro-Orkney Coastal Archaeology Trust, which is leading the dig, describes itself as being in a “race against time and tide” to excavate and record the site.

Every winter the fierce Atlantic gales erode more of the coastline.

It is thought that coin dates back to the mid-4th Century AD. Other finds from that site have been dated to about the second and fourth centuries AD.

Dr Steve Dockerill, of the University of Bradford, who is co-director of the project with Dr Julie Bond, said: “The bust on the coin is clearly visible although much of the lettering isn’t at present clear.

“The reverse contains a standing figure, possibly representing the emperor with what might be an image of Victory at the side. This type of coin is similar to issues dating to the mid-4th Century AD.”

Roman finds have been made before in Orkney and other Scottish islands, including the Western Isles.

But only seven other Roman coins had previously been found on the isles. A Roman brooch and pieces of pottery have also been uncovered in the past.

Roman coins have been found in other parts of Scotland which the Romans did not occupy.

Although the works of classical writers suggest that the Romans were aware of Orkney, with the writers even making claims of an invasion, archaeologists and historians believe this to have been unlikely.

The discovery of the coin has brought national attention to the dig.