The treasure found near WrexhamPosted on 12/11/2008 9:30:18 AM PST by BGHater
THREE treasure hunting friends have struck gold again after unearthing Bronze Age treasure in the same spot near Wrexham for the second time in three years. William May, Joseph Perry and Peter Skelly, all from Liverpool, found a pure gold bead and wire piece in a farmer's field outside Rossett, near Wrexham, in August of last year.
At an inquest in Flint yesterday, the find was declared treasure by John Gittins, deputy coroner for north east Wales.
The latest find belongs to the so-called "Burton Hoard", which was discovered by the three friends in 2004 on the same field in Rossett.
The collection of 14 pieces of gold and bronze jewellery and ceramic tools cost the National Museum and Galleries of Wales £85,000 - a reward which the three men shared with the landowner.
Now the latest find – which was found just 10 metres from the original treasure - is set to earn the men more money.
Speaking after the inquest, Mr May said "We don't know how much this find is worth, but the original Burton Hoard was worth £120,000, even though the museum ended up paying £85,000 for it.
"Whatever reward we get, we share with the landowners, who have been so good to us over the years.
"People can go metal detecting for years and only find coins and old cans, but we know what signals to look for. We're working the ground."
The three friends have been metal detecting together for more than 20 years.
They discovered the pure gold bead and wire on August 26, 2007, using a hi-tech computerised metal detector.
The inquest heard that the piece of wire was once a ring, and that the two objects, while joined together upon discovery, were actually separate.
The treasure was found buried just two inches into the ground. Coroner Mr Gittins called the find a "sight to behold" and congratulated the friends on their find.
The original Burton Hoard, which dates back to between 1300-1100 BC, went on display at Wrexham Museum in 2005 before going on permanent display at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff.
The museum bought the collection with the help of a £21,000 grant from the National Art Collections Fund, another £35,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and a grant from The Goldsmiths' Company.
Treasure trove
- The Treasure Act of 1996 legally obliges finders of objects which constitute a legally defined term of treasure to report their find to their local coroner within 14 days.
- An inquest led by the coroner then determines whether the find constitutes treasure or not.
- If it is declared treasure then the owner must offer the item for sale to a museum at a price set by an independent board of experts.
- Only if a museum expresses no interest in the item, or is unable to purchase it, can the owner retain it.
The treasure found near Wrexham
Joseph Perry with the gold bead and wire
Bling ping.
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Gods |
Thanks BGHater. Similar recent find. |
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That is so cool! I live right near there...
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