💰 1,000-year-old coin hoard at nuclear site, world’s 1st carbon fiber train, Europe’s first driverless shuttle service

A treasure trove of 11th-century coins has emerged from the Suffolk soil, offering archaeologists “a rare and fascinating” look into Suffolk’s rich history and political landscape.

Oxford Cotswold Archaeology was carrying out excavations at Sizewell C, the site of a future nuclear power plant on the Suffolk coast when archaeologist Andrew Pegg discovered a collection of silver coins.

The archaeology team unearthed an impressive hoard of 321 coins in mint condition. Dating back to a time of political upheaval and instability, the coins offer clues as to why they were stashed away. Delve deeper into our Must-Read.

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💰 1,000-year-old coin hoard found at a nuclear power plant site, stuns explorers

The “historically significant” coins were discovered at the intersection of two early medieval field boundary ditches. According to Oxford Cotswold Archaeology, they appear to have been deliberately hidden.

Unearthed within a small lead bundle, the coins were found in a remarkably well-preserved state. The coins were likely placed in a purse or similar object and then further protected by a lead sheeting wrapping.

Since the coins date back to 1036-1044, archaeologists believe the owner buried them for safekeeping after Edward the Confessor’s coronation in 1042 due to political instability.

🚌 China’s Robobus begins Europe’s first driverless shuttle service at Zurich airport

An airport in Europe has deployed an autonomous shuttle service. Called Robobus, the autonomous mobility solution is the latest addition at the Zurich Airport.

Developed by WeRide, the Robobus can accommodate nine passengers. This is also the first commercial autonomous bus shuttle project at a European airport.

It will serve airport employees along a dedicated route connecting the employee entrance at gate 101 to the maintenance area at gate 130. The Robobus service will begin in the first quarter of 2025, according to WeRide.

🚂 World’s 1st carbon fiber train enters service in China, cuts 130-ton CO2 emissions

The world’s first carbon fiber passenger train, the CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express, has now officially entered service in China. Operating on Metro Line 1 in Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province, the train began transporting passengers on Friday (January 10).

Independently developed by Chinese companies, the CETROVO 1.0 marks a groundbreaking revolution in train technology. Its load-bearing structures (like the body and bogie frames) are primarily made of carbon fiber, making it lighter and more fuel-efficient than traditional all-metal trains.

The Metro Line 1 is a 37.2-mile stretch of railway with 41 stations and serves as a major north-south backbone line in Qingdao. According to the train’s developer CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co, CETROVO 1.0 is around 11% lighter than traditional trains of the same size.

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