Someone buried treasures and vanished. Metal detectorist found it 2,800 years later
A bronzesmith might have snapped the sword into several pieces, gathered the metal fragments and set off into a field. Digging into the soil, the artisan then may have carefully buried the objects as an offering for a successful business.
Or perhaps it was a customer of the bronzesmith who collected the broken sword and buried it as one last offering — one final desperate plea — for health, courage or an end to a string of misfortune.
Whatever the scene that fateful day, no one returned for the treasure — until a metal detectorist found it 2,800 years later.
Peter Anning was searching a field in Cardiff, Wales, with a metal detector in October 2020, the Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales said in a July 11 news release.
As he scanned the pasture with a metal detector, Anning discovered several rusted metal fragments.
Archaeologists identified the finds as a collection of Bronze Age artifacts buried 2,800 years ago “probably as a religious offering,” the release said.
The ancient treasures included the blade from a “single leaf-shaped sword” broken into four fragments and two other bronze items, archaeologists said. Photos show the sword fragments pieced together.
“It is uncommon to find multiple joining pieces of swords from south Wales so this… is a significant new find,” Chris Griffiths, a researcher with the museum, said in the release.
“Prior to its burial, the sword appears to have been cleanly broken into pieces, some of which are missing and may have been recycled to form other objects,” Griffiths said. The clean breaks and the other artifacts nearby “suggests that a local bronzesmith was involved with the creation of this hoard.”
The artifacts are being held by the Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales. The museum is interested in purchasing the find after an independent committee assesses its value, the release said.
“We are really excited by the opportunity to acquire this hoard,” Alison Tallontire, the museum’s acting manager, said in the release. “The sword would be the first in the museum’s collection and a valued addition to our Bronze Age archaeology collection.”
The museum also announced the discovery of another collection of Bronze Age treasures.
Cardiff is about 145 miles west of London.
This story was originally published July 12, 2023 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Someone buried treasures and vanished. Metal detectorist found it 2,800 years later."
