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Treasure Hunter Finds the First Celtic Chariot Burial in Wales, Rewrites Ancient History
Ancient Origins ^ | 11/23/18 | Ed Wheylan

Posted on 04/09/2020 2:22:28 PM PDT by Pontiac

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To: Pontiac

Seem like having a “usual detecting route” might be a bad strategy...


21 posted on 04/09/2020 3:45:33 PM PDT by Hegemony Cricket (< < Wandering aimfully > >)
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To: Pontiac

I was partial to my first car but not enough to give it a burial.


22 posted on 04/09/2020 3:49:48 PM PDT by bgill (Idiots. CDC site doesn't recommend wearing a mask to protect from COVID-19)
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To: Pontiac
"Mr. Smith was told by experts that he could not have found a chariot burial because 'one's never been found in this part of the country.'"

Experts. Is there anything they don't know?

23 posted on 04/09/2020 4:06:57 PM PDT by Flag_This (Liberals are locusts.)
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To: Pontiac

When they weren’t hooked up to chariots, did the ancient Welsh ever use their horses to chase Welsh rabbits?


24 posted on 04/09/2020 4:10:13 PM PDT by Verginius Rufus
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To: Pontiac

Red and green. Welsh colors.


25 posted on 04/09/2020 4:25:31 PM PDT by ameribbean expat (Attention! All persons having the corona virus...please report to the nearest IRS office. Thank you.)
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To: minnesota_bound

poor old neolithic thinks it’s a cadillac


26 posted on 04/09/2020 4:36:55 PM PDT by printhead (I need a new tagline. Happy days are here again.)
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To: Pontiac

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.


27 posted on 04/09/2020 4:37:05 PM PDT by Wuli
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To: SunkenCiv

Why would some “experts” think that when Celts were in England they wouldn’t be in Wales too?


28 posted on 04/09/2020 4:45:59 PM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: Pontiac

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.


29 posted on 04/09/2020 4:47:48 PM PDT by centurion316 (.)
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To: minnesota_bound

He drove his Chevy to the levee


30 posted on 04/09/2020 5:30:19 PM PDT by Rannug (When you're dead, you're dead. Until then fight with everything you have.l)
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To: colorado tanker

[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


31 posted on 04/09/2020 5:31:08 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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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


32 posted on 04/09/2020 5:36:49 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: Stevenc131; Pontiac

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!”


33 posted on 04/09/2020 10:25:32 PM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
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To: SunkenCiv

“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.


34 posted on 04/09/2020 10:31:48 PM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
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To: 21twelve
The Celtic way of a victory monument was to display the severed head of the enemy. So, no. :^)

35 posted on 04/09/2020 10:51:06 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: centurion316

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.


36 posted on 04/10/2020 5:14:24 AM PDT by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit)
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To: Pontiac

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.


37 posted on 04/10/2020 5:34:31 AM PDT by centurion316 (.)
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