Medievel artifacts dating as far back as the Bronze Age were declared treasure by the Welsh government this week.
The items, which were found between 2020 and 2022, include a hoard of bronze artifacts such as axes, spearheads, rings and a sword scabbard. The items were discovered by Dr. Peter Anning and Alex Evans in Feb. 2021 in an empty field in Wales where drainage work had been done. The items were dated between 1000 and 800 B.C., and it’s likely that they were deliberately buried in the ground by a local community in a ritual ceremony, Wales’ Amgueddfa Cymru museum said in a news release.
Charles Griffiths, a researcher at the museum associated with the University of Reading, remarked, “This assortment of primarily small artefact fragments provides a captivating insight into the intricate fabric of life during the Late Bronze Age in Cardiff. These objects offer us a glimpse into the diverse connections with distant communities, shedding light on how people flourished in this region of Cardiff approximately 3000 years ago.” Medievel artifacts dating
After the hoard undergoes assessment by the nation’s Treasure Valuation Committee, the museum expressed its interest in acquiring the items. Adam Gwilt, the principal curator of prehistory at the museum, described the hoard as a “significant” discovery that “contributes to the broader regional understanding” of the culture and the area during the Bronze Age.
Furthermore, Anning, the discoverer, was responsible for finding two additional items now declared treasures. In April 2020, he uncovered a Roman silver ring fragment using a metal detector. Subsequently, in February 2022, Anning detected a medieval silver brooch pin in the same vicinity. The museum noted that this pin dates back to the 13th or 14th century, and both items may potentially be acquired by Wales’ Cowbridge & District Museum.