An archaeological dig at a site earmarked for housing has uncovered more than 300 stone age tools and artefacts.
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Sites in Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham
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The Late Bronze Age hoard of two ‘lock’ gold rings were discovered in the Community of Rosset. The wearer would’ve been a person of wealth and status within Late Bronze Age Society, between 10000 and 800BC.
In terms of their use, archaeologists aren’t certain whether they were used as ear-rings or worn to gather locks of hair, as the name suggests.
In Wales, lock-rings have previously been found at Gaerwen, Anglesey, the Great Orme, Conwy and Newport, Pembrokeshire.
This largely coastal pattern hints at possible trading and communication links between Late Bronze Age communities living in Wales and Ireland....
itv.com/news/wales/2015-03-26/ancient-gold-artefacts-uncovered-in-north-wales/
Further information...
A Wrexham metal-detecting butcher has found a bronze age axe and another unidentified tin item in a field at Treuddyn, near Mold, Flintshire. There are pictures and local news report at the link.
leaderlive.co.uk/news/112209/metal-detecting-butcher-uncovers-3-000-year-old-axe.aspx
Fragments of Neolithic pottery and an ancient arrowhead represent the best finds yet from a dig at a quarry near Wrexham, say archaeologists.
Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) has been excavating at Tarmac’s Borras Quarry site since 2008.
More here...
Update of a previous story, from News Wales (newswales.co.uk/?section=Culture&F=1&id=6926:)
A Bronze Age hoard of international significance has been declared treasure today by H.M. Coroner for North East Wales. Dating to the Middle Bronze Age, this hoard includes a torc, bracelet, a necklace pendant and a collection of beads and rings, all of gold.
The hoard was discovered by three friends Peter Skelly, William May and Joseph Perry, whilst metal-detecting in the Burton area, near Wrexham, during January this year.
More details of the hoard’s discovery at: themodernantiquarian.com/post/25163
The National Museums & Galleries of Wales will acquire the hoard, following its independent valuation. It is anticipated that the hoard will be displayed for the first time over the summer at the ‘Buried Treasure’ exhibition at the National Museum & Gallery in Cardiff: nmgw.ac.uk/nmgc/2004/buried_treasure/
Edited from BBC News, North East Wales
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/3532395.stm
An “exceptional” hoard of buried treasure has been found in Wrexham just two years after another major find of Bronze Age treasure there. The 14 pieces of priceless gold and bronze jewellery and pottery, dating back more than 3,000 years, were found by three metal detector enthusiasts in the last few weeks.
Archaeologists are excited about the latest discovery in the area which is also home to the 4,000 year-old gold Mold cape. They believe this latest group of artefacts were buried between 1300 and 1100 BC as a gift to the gods by a well-connected and wealthy farming community.
The hoard is currently with the National Museum & Galleries of Wales in Cardiff where a report is being prepared for a coroner’s inquest to consider whether it should be declared treasure trove.
This hearing will be held within the next couple of months and until then pictures of the artefacts are not being released.
“This hoard includes a torc (bangle) and bracelet, a necklace pendant and a collection of beads and rings, all of gold,” said a museum spokeswoman. “It was buried alongside two palstaves and a chisel, within a small pot, fragments of which were found in the ground alongside. The twisted gold wire bracelet and the pendant, made of spiralled gold wire and forming a long bead shape, are unique within Britain. One or two similar objects have been found in north-western France.”
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In January 2002, two metal detector enthusiasts found gold bracelet fragments, a bronze axe and a dagger in the same area near Rossett, in Wrexham. The dagger was the first of its kind to be discovered in Wales.
The CAPE (Culture, Archaeology, Prehistory Experience) Project comprises the construction of a visitor centre highlighting the Bronze Age and Celtic culture of north east Wales that could attract up to 150,000 tourists a year. At the core of the new visitor attraction, drawing on Arthurian connections, would be the famous gold Bronze Age Mold Cape, currently held in the British Museum.
Experts have drawn up a study and believe that such a centre is feasible, probably on land next to Clwyd Theatr Cymru. To get the project going, the report will suggest trying to establish an academic centre first which could be a base for archaeological dig teams. “We urge local people to take an interest and get involved. It is vital we now widen the debate and engage local people at the earliest opportunity in the future planning of the project in the hope that they will get behind it, ” said Project chairman Adrian Barsby.
The whole idea was sparked by a drive in the town for the return of its famous Bronze Age cape. It was discovered by labourers in pieces at Bryn yr Ellyllon (Hill of Elves) just off Chester Road, Mold, in 1833 along with the bones of a man. It is dated between 1900 and 1600 BCE and is made from the equivalent of 23-carat Irish gold.
Sources: Daily Post, icNorthWales, North Wales Weekly News (6 February 2004)
Comprehensive survey of prehistoric monuments of Denbighshire and East Conwy.
Opens a pdf.
An article about the long running survey of Prehistoric Funerary & Ritual Monuments in Wales, being carried out by CPAT on behalf of Cadw. The page includes photos of Gop Cairn and Moel Ty-Uchaf stone circle.