Amonite (2020)

Amonite (2020), directed by Francis Lee, is a quietly intense period drama set in 19th-century England that explores themes of love, isolation, and desire. The film is loosely inspired by the life of the famous paleontologist Mary Anning (Kate Winslet), though the romantic relationship at the center of the story is fictionalized. Amonite focuses on the intimate, pᴀssionate relationship between Mary, a reclusive fossil hunter, and Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse Ronan), a young woman who is sent to the seaside town of Lyme Regis for health reasons. Their bond evolves slowly, set against the stark beauty of the English coastline, and is marked by personal discovery, longing, and social constraint.

Mary Anning, a pioneering but overlooked paleontologist, is depicted as a solitary figure, dedicated to her work of collecting fossils along the cliffs of Lyme Regis. Her quiet, introverted life is defined by a deep pᴀssion for science, yet her accomplishments have gone largely unrecognized, primarily because of her gender and social status. Kate Winslet delivers a powerful, understated performance, portraying Mary as a woman of profound resilience and strength, yet one whose emotional life is stunted by both societal expectations and personal isolation.

Charlotte Murchison, played by Saoirse Ronan, enters Mary’s life when she is sent to Lyme Regis by her husband for a restorative stay. Charlotte is mourning the loss of a child, and her delicate health and fragile emotional state set the stage for a deep emotional connection between her and Mary. Initially, their relationship begins as one of mutual curiosity and a budding friendship. However, as the two women spend more time together, the bond between them grows into something more intimate and pᴀssionate. The romance between Mary and Charlotte is slow to unfold, but the chemistry between Winslet and Ronan is palpable, their characters drawn together by both their emotional vulnerability and mutual longing.

The film is centered on the tension between the societal repression of the time and the personal freedoms the women seek in their love for each other. As their relationship becomes more intense, it faces the unyielding social norms and judgment of the era, particularly the limited options for women who step outside conventional boundaries. Despite the tender moments they share, the relationship remains fraught with internal and external conflicts, as both women grapple with the consequences of their feelings.

The cinematography by Stéphane Fontaine is beautifully evocative, capturing the sweeping, windswept cliffs and beaches of Lyme Regis. The desolate, often harsh landscape serves as a reflection of the characters’ inner turmoil and isolation. The coastal setting is as much a character as the women themselves, adding layers of emotional and thematic depth to the story. The muted, natural color palette further enhances the feeling of emotional restraint and the characters’ quiet lives.

The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing for a slow-building emotional intensity that makes the final moments all the more poignant. Amonite explores themes of personal sacrifice, the complexity of human connection, and the yearning for love in a world that demands conformity. At its heart, it’s a story about two women discovering parts of themselves through their connection to each other, both a source of solace and pain.

While Amonite is an exploration of forbidden love, it also delves deeply into the idea of personal reinvention and finding meaning in one’s life. The performances, particularly by Winslet and Ronan, are subtle yet deeply emotional, capturing the nuances of love, loss, and longing. The film is both intimate and haunting, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.

In conclusion, Amonite is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant film that explores the complexities of love, idenтιтy, and desire, set against a beautifully desolate 19th-century English backdrop. Winslet and Ronan’s performances elevate the film, making it a poignant meditation on what it means to love and be loved in a world that often doesn’t allow for it. The film’s quiet strength and emotional depth make it a standout piece in the genre of historical romance.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain


Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0
November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.

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