Major Bronze Age Haul Unearthed (UK)

BBC ^ | 4-26-2005

[blam]

Major Bronze Age haul unearthed

More than 140 pieces have been recovered from the garden

A large haul of Bronze Age artefacts has been uncovered by a gardener. The 145 items, dating from about 800BC, were found by Simon Francis as he landscaped the grounds of a house in Cringleford, near Norwich.

Norfolk County Council archaeologists say the haul is one of the largest and most significant they have known.

Curator of archaeology Alan West said: "The items are in good condition and the more items we find the better knowledge we can develop of the era."

It is very unusual to find items from two completely different eras all on one site

Norfolk curator of archaeology Alan West

He said the items, one of the biggest finds in Norfolk, had been buried in a shallow pit.

"I would have thought the items were buried there as it was a safe area and they planned to return to recover them at a later date but, for whatever reason, that never happened," Mr West said.

Since the first 135 items were found on Friday, archaeologists have revisited the site and found more, including a Viking brooch.

Mr West said: "It is very unusual to find items from two completely different eras all on one site."

The haul included axe heads, spear heads, sword parts, tools and ingots.

Mr West said the coroner would now decide if the find qualifies as treasure.

It is hoped the artefacts will eventually go on public display.

[blam]

GGG Ping.

[Migraine]

Man, that's exciting. Imagine finding that 2800-yr-old stuff, in that condition, in your garden. What a time capsule! I really am fascinated with the history of Britain, and not just because it's part of our American heritage (which it is).

[68skylark]

Good post. Articles like this are one of the reasons FR is so much fun.

[SunkenCiv]

lotta Bronze Age stuff found in Briton of late:

Divers find Bronze Age artefacts off Devon coast
Telegraph (UK)
Posted on 04/01/2005 11:47:03 PM PST by nickcarraway
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1375967/posts

Devon Divers Find 3,000 Year Old Bronze Age Artefacts On Shipwreck Site
GNN (Government News Network) | 3-8-2005
Posted on 03/08/2005 3:32:45 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1358771/posts

Gold Love Ring is Treasure Trove (Bronze Age Artefacts Found in Wales)
BBC | Wednesday, 30 March, 2005
Posted on 04/02/2005 12:00:55 AM PST by nickcarraway
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1375972/posts

Townhouse reveals real skeletons in closet
icWales
Posted on 03/17/2005 12:53:55 AM PST by nickcarraway
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1364519/posts

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Blam.

Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on, off, or alter the "Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list --
Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
The GGG Digest -- Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)

[prion]

Man, that's exciting. Imagine finding that 2800-yr-old stuff, in that condition, in your garden. What a time capsule! I really am fascinated with the history of Britain, and not just because it's part of our American heritage (which it is).

In places where it's certain there will be artifacts, like in very old towns, they sometimes put restrictions on your deed. Like, you can only dig two feet down in your back garden. It's similar to the restrictions put on listed houses.

[Dustbunny]

I would be thrilled if I ever ran across such artifacts. Just to look at them and know the were ancient what a rush that would be.

[EarthBound]

Thanks for the post. I wonder why it is so rare to find stuff from two different ages? Obviously stone is easier to find and make stuff with than bronze. Companies today still use legacy systems from decades ago, in computer terms, that's an age. I'd think they'd use what they had when they had it. Anyone know why it's so rare?

[Arthalion]

Unfortunatly England has a law that makes it a serious crime to keep this sort of thing. Even without deed restrictions, anyone finding ancient artifacts on their property in England has to turn it over to the state...their laws assume that these artifacts belong to society, not the landowner. While I can see both sides of this issue, it would REALLY suck to find a bag of old Roman gold coins and have to turn them over to the local museum.

BTW, I agree about the thrill of holding ancient artifacts. I collect old coins and artifacts, and the oldest pieces in my collection are ~5000 years old (a couple of Sumerian jewelry pieces). Just thinking about the history they've seen and the huge number of people who have owned them before me is incredibly cool, and really helps to make history more "real".

[MacDorcha]

It may have come from specialization.

When one culture begins focussing on a different means, the entire "village" would shift gears.

Keep in mind, the major reason the chages occured was due to the ADVANTAGES that each adnce took.

You may find bone and flint tools still (like at a boy-scout camp), but these would be largely anachrononistic with lighter and more durable metals being the norm.

---

That, and when you think about it, which does a society (historically) tend to preserve more? The old or the new?

The *old* in ancient societies may have been simply "used to death" while the *new* was being constantly updated.

Muesems are a recent development.

---

This would also address your comparrison to computer coding.

You don't wear down 0's and 1's, and logica ALWAYS applies.

Unless one has a BETTER logic (note: not just faster, or more efficient, but one that comes to a "more correct" resolution) then abandoning the old logic is non-sensical.

---

That help? or just further your knowledge that I am in fact- an asshat? :p

[blam]

"it would REALLY suck to find a bag of old Roman gold coins and have to turn them over to the local museum."

There is legisalation in the UK that compensates finders. I've not read about anyone complaining about their compensation.

[SunkenCiv]

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