Posted on 09/21/2009 4:50:44 PM PDT by BGHater
A SAXON brooch and skull uncovered by a metal detecting enthusiast may point to a 1,500-year-old royal grave hidden beneath a farmer’s fields.
The Home Office has ordered the exhumation of an early sixth century skeleton found in West Hanney, near Wantage, on Sunday to allow archaeologists to investigate the size of the burial site.
The quality of the Saxon jewellery found pinned to the body has already been compared to treasure found at the Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk in 1939 (see panel), now on display at the British Museum.
Anni Byard, Oxfordshire County Council’s finds liaison officer, said the brooch was likely to have belonged to royalty, or somebody of considerable wealth.
She said: “It’s an important find with the burial still intact.
“Finds like this don’t come along very often.”
Chris Bayston, 56, from Yorkshire, picked up a signal at a weekend metal detecting rally at the farm, which is not being named to protect the site.
Digging down 13 inches, he found a copper alloy brooch, covered in gold and studded with garnets and coral. Alongside it was the skull.
Mr Bayston, who has been metal detecting for 14 years, said: “I lifted a shovel load of muck out and as I threw it down I saw the brooch.
“I poked a hole open and saw the bones, and that’s when I thought, ‘Christ, I better stop — I’ve hit a serious find.’ “I cannot get my head around it yet. It’s a dream come true really, just unbelievable. They may be able to learn a lot from this.”
Rally organisers immediately realised they had uncovered a find of national significance, and called police to protect the discovery overnight.
Professional archaeologists began excavating the site yesterday, exhuming the body and sifting the mud for jewels which may have come detached from the brooch.
It is not yet known how long it will take to complete the operation.
Rally organiser Peter Welch, of the Weekend Wanderers Detecting Club, said: “This is the biggest find I’ve had in over 20 years.
“It could be a Saxon princess or queen, but we will need more excavation to find out.
“The brooch shows some very skilful workmanship, on a par with the Sutton Hoo burial.”
Saxon Brooch ping.
SC, yeah I’m guilty of usually only do post’s with pics.
Quite solid of them. Some would've turned the entire area into an amateur excavation looking for a buried treasure horde.
|
|
|||
Gods |
Thanks BGHater. |
||
|
· Discover · Nat Geographic · Texas AM Anthro News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · Google · · The Archaeology Channel · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists · |
|||
I’m told that the UK has some rigorous law covering these “finds.” Awards and recognition are made available to finders but the government insists on taking title.
NO, NO, NO. Every time something is found in England someone makes a erroneous post like this. The law is simple. When something like this is found, it must be reported. The authorities have the right to have it if it is deemed historically important and IF they have the money to pay for it. The finder either gets the fair market value or he gets the item. And please, no jokes about the authorities setting an artificially low price. The piece is evaluated by a third party, and the results are fair. They truly are fair. England has the most enlightened laws about this than any other country outside the US. The rest of the world would do well to follow suit.
Stay at home mom’s husband.
I understand and have seen the same information on other posts. Still, there are a lot of other countries even with the same kind of law where the attitude would be keep the piece and try the black market.
The British are so gosh-darn civilized and have such respect for their history.
Please reread my post. The British government does NOT set the value. A third party does it. And in fact, when the entity wanting the item, whether it be a local museum or the British museum, cannot raise the funds for the desired item it goes to the finder, even if the authorities want it. The Brits may do a lot of things wrong (read: socialism) but they have it right regarding antiquities and ancient coins.
No; the dead can not own property, and she's dead, Jim!
It may have belonged to her 15 centruries ago, though.
And if she isn't dead, I have a cross, garlic, and a stake handy.
You just won’t listen, will you? Oftentimes it is an antiquities dealer or coin dealer, with no vested interest in the museum or authorities getting the item. Can’t you just accept it is fair? Especially when one who knows more about it than you is trying to enlighten you?
Your illustration proves nothing. The specific instance you cite does not fall under the Treasure Trove law, which is what we have been commenting upon. Treasure Trove law covers ancient items and antiquities. The WWII item you have mentioned does not fall under this act, nor is it considered an antiquity. Thus your provided illustration does not disprove the fairness or enlightenment of Treasure Trove law. Simply put it is the best out there.
My point was it was the same authorities. And he had no appeal.
Please stick to the original argument. English Treasure Trove law is fair, and not is biased toward the government as you implied earlier. You failed to prove your point.
It most certainly is biaed in favor of the government and for good reason.
Nope. Please come back to this discussion when you, logic, and linear reasoning have made a thorough acquaintance.
Not after this much time it doesn't.
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.