Posted on 04/09/2020 2:22:28 PM PDT by Pontiac
A metal detectorist in Pembrokeshire in Wales has made a discovery that could change how we understand the history of the ancient Celts.
The unearthing of a Celtic chariot burial in a Welsh field astonishes experts because this find is the first of its kind in Wales. It is sure to throw light on the Welsh Iron Age and its connections with the wider Celtic world.
Mike Smith, from Milford Haven, has been a metal detectorist for 30 years and is an active member of the Pembrokeshire Prospectors. Earlier this year, he was exploring a muddy field when he came across a metal object.
He was only there because “flooding on his usual detecting route led him to search in a different area” reports the Western Telegraph .
Mr. Smith first thought that he had unearthed a brooch, but it was later revealed to be a piece of a Celtic horse harness. Returning the next day, Mr. Smith dug a few inches into the ground and came across more bronze items and decorative pieces still shining with bright red enameling.
(Excerpt) Read more at ancient-origins.net ...
Seem like having a “usual detecting route” might be a bad strategy...
I was partial to my first car but not enough to give it a burial.
Experts. Is there anything they don't know?
When they weren’t hooked up to chariots, did the ancient Welsh ever use their horses to chase Welsh rabbits?
Red and green. Welsh colors.
poor old neolithic thinks it’s a cadillac
I always thought this was logical - the Celts surely did not stay out of Wales - and only a matter of time before the evidence supporting it was found.
Why would some “experts” think that when Celts were in England they wouldn’t be in Wales too?
Archeaologists and Metal Detectorists have an uncomfortable history. For years after metal detectors (AKA mine dectectors) become available to the general public, the Archealogists declared war on these hobbyists. They were treasure hunters and would rob the valuable metal finds and destroy the historical context.
This guy appears to be the modern day detectorist. He immediately notified the authorities and is cooperating in a proper excavation. It’s hard to imagine that someone who owned this chariot (An iron age Lamborghini) also lived in an Iron Age round house, but that may be the case.
He drove his Chevy to the levee
[snip] Experts were initially sceptical, since chariot burials have, as mentioned above, not been found in Wales before: there are around 20 such burials across the UK but most are in the North East of England. However, over the summer a preliminary excavation was started by Dyfed Archaeological Trust and National Museum Wales. This was part funded by Cadw, which manages a number of Wales’ historical monuments and buildings. Ground radar showed that the site was much more extensive than previously suspected, possibly even larger than the well-known Iron Age hillfort site of Castle Henllys, also in Pembrokshire. An experimental investigation unearthed the tops of two rusted iron chariot wheels and a pony’s tooth. In some chariot burials, a form of burial reserved for those of wealth and high status, the wheels are flat, but this one was buried standing and a mound erected over the top. [/snip]
https://wildhunt.org/2018/12/new-archaeological-finds-in-uk-shed-light-on-pagan-past.html
some backstory:
Pembrokeshire metal detectorists unearth hidden treasures
By Ceri Coleman-Phillips BBC News
18 September 2017
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-41259086
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/0803/production/_97815020_21230914_1133454006799476_3227328191096319861_n.jpg
Really cool - amazing how well that red enamel has held up for 2,500 years. (How come women need to get their nails done once a week?)
I thought of that show the Decectorists as well. Of course in their case they would have planned to search this field where the chariot was found, but the flood would have pushed them off into another field!
I’m guessing that the government must fund the exploration and dig so they can do it carefully. I know if I was Mike Smith (fake name I hope?) I would just tell them “Aye - don’t worry about the funding. I’ll rent a digger and get right to it!”
“In some chariot burials, a form of burial reserved for those of wealth and high status, the wheels are flat, but this one was buried standing and a mound erected over the top.”
Maybe the chariot just got stuck in the mud during a battle that the Celts lost. Driven out, their enemy left the chariot stuck out in the mud as their monument to victory. (And the anomaly 9 feet down is an old log).
Probably not, at least I hope not for Mr. Smith.
The Celtic way of a victory monument was to display the severed head of the enemy. So, no. :^)
I Britain anyone finding a historic treasure is required by law to report the find to local authorities.
The find is then turned over to a local Archaeologist to excavate.
The finder is then given a monetary reward % as defined by law based on the appraised value of the find.
The finder does not get any of the actual treasure.
You are correct about the UK law, however, not all metal detectorists follow it. They dig it up and put it on eBay or other similiar site. If they do report it, they do split the money with the land owner. If a museum or other institution does not buy it at the appraised price, then the artifacts go to the finder and land owner.
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