Enthusiasts with metal detectors have discovered archaeological riches dating back to the Bronze Age. The 14 finds are only those recorded by the British Museum as being “significant”.
There are likely to have been scores of smaller discoveries. In all but two of the cases, the amateur Indiana Joneses were allowed to keep their loot.
There are likely to have been scores of smaller discoveries. In all but two of the cases, the amateur Indiana Joneses were allowed to keep their loot.
Hoarde of 16th & 17th Century Coins Found In Powys In August 2012
Bronze Age Axes:
The two discoveries acquired by museums were both of Bronze Age axes or axe heads dating back as far as 1100BC.
The discoveries span British history from those early axes found in Llangollen, Denbighshire and Colwinston in the Vale of Glamorgan to a trove of 25 silver coins dating back to the reigns of Edward VI, Elizabeth I and James I in the 16th and 17th Centuries.
The coins were found in August 2012 in Montgomeryshire, Powys, and include shillings and sixpences with motifs including castles, coronets and a portcullis.
Metal Detector Find:
Other finds included a copper alloy Roman pin from AD300-AD450 picked up by metal detector on July 14 last year in Llandeilo in Camarthenshire.
On May 1, 2014, another detector discovered a Medieval flail in Cilcain, Flintshire. It was eventually dated to AD900-AD1400.
On the very same day, in Wrexham in Denbighshire, A Roman toggle from AD100-300 was also unearthed.
Finds from 2013 included a Iron Age linch pin in Llandow, Vale of Glamorgan, as well as a whetstone of uncertain date found by someone with a metal detector in Rossett, Wrexham.
Iron Age Find From 300BC:
In 2002, on June 1 in Pwlheli in Gwynedd, a metal detector turned up a Iron Age copper strap fitting possibly dating back as far as 300BC.
And on January 20, a gold Bronze Age ring from 1000BC-800BC was found in St Donats in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Every year thousands are discovered, either by ‘treasure-hunters’ using metal detectors, or simply people walking or gardening.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, anyone who finds gold or silver objects or groups of coins more than 300 years old must report them under the Treasure Act 1996. Prehistoric base-metal objects found after January 1, 2003, also qualify.
A report has to be drawn up for a coroner, who then holds an inquest to decide whether the find constitutes treasure. If it does, the Crown is formally recognise as the owner and the object will usually end up in a museum. A reward will be paid based on the value of the treasure.
If the object is not classified as treasure it is generally returned to the finder.
And on January 20, a gold Bronze Age ring from 1000BC-800BC was found in St Donats in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Every year thousands are discovered, either by ‘treasure-hunters’ using metal detectors, or simply people walking or gardening.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, anyone who finds gold or silver objects or groups of coins more than 300 years old must report them under the Treasure Act 1996. Prehistoric base-metal objects found after January 1, 2003, also qualify.
A report has to be drawn up for a coroner, who then holds an inquest to decide whether the find constitutes treasure. If it does, the Crown is formally recognise as the owner and the object will usually end up in a museum. A reward will be paid based on the value of the treasure.
If the object is not classified as treasure it is generally returned to the finder.
