Metal detector find dates back 1,500 years[UK]

Kent Online ^ | 19 Aug 2008 | Gerry Warren

[BGHater]

When a Kent metal detecting enthusiast found something in a field of stubble he thought it looked interesting...and he was right!

The gold pendant he discovered dated back more than 1,500 years and has been declared treasure trove.

Fork lift truck driver Andy Sales, from Deal, found the ancient artefact near Worth.

A coroner has declared the item treasure trove after an expert from the British Museum examined and dated it to between 491-518 AD.

In his report to the hearing, the curator in early medieval coinage, Dr Gareth Williams, said it was a gold tremissis bearing the image of the Byzantine emperor, Anastasius the First.

But he said the coin was actually not Byzantine but a later visogothic imitation.

Mr Sales, 43, has been metal detecting for 25 years.

He said: "I have found all sorts of stuff including Roman and Saxon broaches and coins but nothing that has been declared treasure trove before. I still don't know if it's of any great value."

Factfile:

• Treasure trove are artefacts found buried or secreted which are at least 300 years old;

• They should also have a precious metal content (gold or silver) of at least 10 per cent. They can be single items or a hoard of coins, for example;

• A coroner determines whether an item or items should be declared treasure trove after taking expert advice. If it is, it becomes the property of the Crown;

• Such items are then offered to the British Museum or the National Museums and Galleries of Wales and valued;

• If one of them wishes to purchase it, the value is divided between the finder and landowner. If not, the item is returned to the finder.

The 1,500 year gold pendant which has been declared treasure trove

[BGHater]

Ping

[Born to Conserve]

So you find something on your own land, and you can’t keep it?

Guess who wouldn’t report such finds . . . .

[Twinkie]

“Guess who wouldn’t report such finds . . . .”

Oh, I don’t know . . . . is it BORN TO CONSERVE??

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

"Hey, that pendant is mine! I bought it the same day I bought these pearls!!"

[rahbert]

Inland Revenue would be out to discuss your tax situation
should they become aware of your good fortune.

[End Times Sentinel]

A 1500 year old date? Who’d want to eat that?

[JAKraig]

I had a date with a 15 year old when I was 16, but I never dated a 1500 year old, ulgh!

[SunkenCiv]

· join list or digest · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post a topic ·
	Gods Graves Glyphs	Thanks BGHater. Whoops, All, in that previous ping I left in some unnecessary text. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother, and Ernest_at_the_Beach
· Google · Archaeologica · ArchaeoBlog · Archaeology magazine · Biblical Archaeology Society · · Mirabilis · Texas AM Anthropology News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · · History or Science & Nature Podcasts · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists ·

[mysterio]

Wow, the British hate freedom and property ownership even more than we do here in America.

[stayathomemom]

I think if you find something on your own land you get to keep it if the museums/universities don’t want it. If they want it they have to offer a fair market value for it. Britain, I believe has some of the best laws of this kind for collectors. Other countries will just confiscate the finds, thus people are more likely to hide anything they discover and the historical significance of these items are lost to scholars.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

"A 1500 year old date? Who’d want to eat that?"

OMG you did not go there.....