‘Significant’ trove of Bronze Age treasures discovered by metal detectors in Wales
Medieval artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age were declared a treasure by the Welsh Government this week.
The objects, which were found between 2020 and 2022, include a trove of bronze objects such as axes, spearheads, rings and a sword scabbard. The objects were discovered by Dr Peter Anning and Alex Evans in February 2021 in an empty field in Wales where drainage work had been carried out. The objects were dated between 1000 and 800 BC, and it is likely that they were deliberately buried in the ground by a local community in a ritual ceremony, Amgueddfa Cymru Museum of Wales. said in a press release.
“This collection, made up of mostly small fragments of objects, offers a fascinating insight into the rich tapestry of life in Late Bronze Age Cardiff,” said Charles Griffiths, a researcher at the University’s affiliated museum. of Reading. “Through these objects we gain insight into the range of connections with distant communities, which would have helped people thrive in this part of Cardiff around 3,000 years ago.”
Amgueddfa Museum Cymru
Once the treasure was evaluated by the National Treasure Appraisal Committee, the museum expressed interest in acquiring the objects. Adam Gwilt, senior curator of prehistory at the museum, called the treasure an “important” find that “adds to the broader regional picture” of the culture and region during the Bronze Age.
Anning also discovered two of the other objects declared treasures. One of them, a fragment of a silver Roman ring, which he found in April 2020 while metal detecting. In February 2022, Anning found a medieval silver brooch in the same area, again with a metal detector. This pin dates from the 13th or 14th century, the museum said, and the objects could be acquired by the Cowbridge & District Museum of Wales.
Amgueddfa Museum Cymru
“I’m not sure how I ended up with (so many) boxes of treasure in such a short time!” Anning said in a statement. “I am pleased that the finds are being acquired by Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and Cowbridge Museum and hope that the public and museums will benefit from their presence in their respective collections.”
A second silver ring fragment was discovered in November 2022, while Richard Murton was using a metal detector in a field in Powys, Wales. This ring dates from the first or second century, the museum said, and likely originally contained a semi-precious stone or glass setting. Powysland Museum and Welshpool Library have expressed interest in acquiring the ring.
Amgueddfa Museum Cymru
Similar treasures were discovered in Wales earlier this year. Two coin hoards found by metal detectors in 2018 ended up buried in Roman hoards, Amgueddfa Cymru said earlier this year.
