Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Treasure hunter unearths ancient ring[UK][10th Century]
Wetherby News ^ | 18 Apr 2008 | Wetherby News

Posted on 04/18/2008 6:14:59 AM PDT by BGHater

A 10th century finger ring, which was found by a man using a metal detector in a field at Kirk Deighton, near Wetherby, may go on permanent display in a museum in Yorkshire.

Experts at the British Museum say the ring is 65 per cent gold, 33 per cent silver and two per cent copper with a weathered glass stone.

The ring, which was formerly declared to be treasure yesterday at an inquest in Harrogate, was discovered only a few inches below the surface in an arable field by Colin Ashton, of Ilkley.

Mr Ashton told the Coroner for the Western District of North Yorkshire, Geoff Fell, that at first he was not sure whether the ring was real or was costume jewellery.

He said: "I was aware of my obligations under the Treasure Act so I knew I had to find out whether it was precious metal or not.”

He took it to a jeweller in Ilkley who confirmed it was gold.

After consulting a local museum, Mr Ashton took the ring to the Finds Liaison Officer at the Yorkshire Museum in York who delivered it to the British Museum and informed the coroner.

Mr Fell said: "It is quite an impressive ring bearing in mind it is over 1,000-years-old."

The ring, which is similar to one found on the Scottish island of Iona and another at Hitchin in Hertfordshire, will now be valued by independent experts on a Treasure Valuation Committee. The British Museum has said that a local museum is interested in exhibiting it.

Treasure – The 10th century finger ring found at Kirk Deighton.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: metaldetector; ring; uk
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-27 next last

1 posted on 04/18/2008 6:14:59 AM PDT by BGHater
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BGHater

I understand that Helen Thomas has filed a petition to get her ring back.


2 posted on 04/18/2008 6:17:13 AM PDT by Eurale
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

I suppose the finder gets nothing in return. Not exactly an incentive to go “treasure” hunting.


3 posted on 04/18/2008 6:17:15 AM PDT by BipolarBob (I survived the same Bosnian gunfire as Hillary. It were'nt no thang.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Ooooh! My Precious!


4 posted on 04/18/2008 6:18:36 AM PDT by 17th Miss Regt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

ping.


5 posted on 04/18/2008 6:19:41 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

After seeing Lord of the Rings, I’d be suspicious of anybody bringing me any ancient rings. . .


6 posted on 04/18/2008 6:20:24 AM PDT by CondorFlight (I)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob
In the UK, finders of antiquities get recognition.
7 posted on 04/18/2008 6:22:15 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob

> I suppose the finder gets nothing in return. Not exactly an incentive to go “treasure” hunting.

I believe they receive a fair price for their treasure from the Crown. A very sensible arrangement if you ask me: the British learned all about predation of antiquities by practising it on others for a couple of centuries of Empire. ‘Tis only sensible that they learn from that and apply it on the home front.


8 posted on 04/18/2008 6:22:57 AM PDT by DieHard the Hunter (Is mise an ceann-cinnidh. Cha ghéill mi do dhuine. Fàg am bealach.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob

If I recall correctly, it is evaluated and the finder is paid in full.


9 posted on 04/18/2008 6:23:10 AM PDT by ProfessorGage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Eric in the Ozarks

That’s nice.

In the US they get money


10 posted on 04/18/2008 6:23:51 AM PDT by ProudGOP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

I hadn’t thought of Ilkley in a very, very long time!

“Ilkley Moor Bar t’At

Where hast tha’ been since I saw thee?
(I saw thee)
On Ilkley Moor bar t’at,
Where hast tha’ been since I saw thee?
(Hast thou been since I saw)
Where hast tha’ been since I saw thee?

On Ilkley Moor bar t’at,
On Ilkley Moor bar t’at,
On Ilkley Moor bar t’at.

Tha’s been a-coortin’ Mary Jane,
(Mary Jane,)
On Ilkley Moor bar t’at,
Tha’s been a-coortin’ Mary Jane,
(been a-coortin’ Mary)
Tha’s been a-coortin’ Mary Jane,”


11 posted on 04/18/2008 6:24:14 AM PDT by Kolokotronis (Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

I predict it will bring nothing but trouble for the owner...

12 posted on 04/18/2008 6:24:14 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
Good find.

He'll be fairly compensated for the ring under the Treasuries Act/Law.

13 posted on 04/18/2008 6:25:55 AM PDT by blam (Secure the border and enforce the law)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BGHater
The ring, which was formerly declared to be treasure yesterday

I doubt it. This probably should be "formally".

14 posted on 04/18/2008 6:27:30 AM PDT by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eurale

Good One!!!!


15 posted on 04/18/2008 6:27:59 AM PDT by WayneS (Respect the 2nd Amendment; Repeal the 16th)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BGHater
...which was formerly declared to be treasure yesterday

BAD English grammar!.........

16 posted on 04/18/2008 6:28:21 AM PDT by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Well, thanks to the Treasure Act, it’s owner is Great Britain generally. And indeed there is trouble there, Muslims-only swimming times at public pools, etc...


17 posted on 04/18/2008 6:29:25 AM PDT by coloradan (The US is becoming a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Might have meant “formally” declared...


18 posted on 04/18/2008 6:30:28 AM PDT by coloradan (The US is becoming a banana republic, except without the bananas - or the republic.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Izzy Dunne

I suppose the Spanish government will claim a cut.......


19 posted on 04/18/2008 6:31:09 AM PDT by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: BGHater

Hate to sound dishonest here, but why do people turn those finds into the governments, especially if a person finds said objects on his/her own property?


20 posted on 04/18/2008 6:39:54 AM PDT by madison10
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-27 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson