An incredible collection of Iron Age and ancient Roman artifacts was found by a metal detectorist scouring an island near Wales that was recently declared to be a national treasure, according to a public release by the Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales.
How the Artifacts Were Found
The discovery itself was made back in 2020, as per the museum's release, by local metal detectorist Ian Porter amid his routine exploration of Anglesey's pastures and spring, which can be found on the western corner of Wales' mainland coasts.
"I was so excited when I found these items," Porter recalled. "To think that the last person who touched them lived almost two thousand years ago and it shows some of the history of the island".
Immediately after recognizing the gravity of his discovery, Porter notified the Portable Antiquities Scheme's Liaison Officer Sean Derby, who was stationed at the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust at the time, and in turn, Derby reported the treasure find to the professional archaeological curators of the museum.
The collection comprised a total of 16 metal artifacts, including chariot and cavalry fittings that were later dated back to the Late Iron Age around the first century AD. The latter object was also found to be of Roman origin, which comprised three bridle bits, a rein guide, a head fitting of a ram, and four harness discs.
In addition to this, Porter also found an ornamental brooch, four ancient coins, and a lead pot repair, all of which were traced back to the British Roman period between 43 to 410 AD.
An enormous 45-pound or 20-kilogram Roman copper ingot was also discovered, which was likely sourced and smelted out of the local mine near the site.
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The Historical Significance of the Momentous Finds
Adam Gwilt, Principal Curator for Prehistory in the Wales institution, said: "This culturally mixed artifact group, containing both Iron Age chariot fittings and Roman cavalry fittings, is an important new find for the island"
He also explained how the collection of items relate to a historical account written by Tacitus detailing the wake of an invasion that the Roman army launched on the island. In the account, Tacitus wrote about "the strange first encounter" that occurred between the so-called "Druids of Anglesey" and the Roman army.
"This group of gifted objects illustrates how watery locations, including the sacred lake site at Llyn Cerrig Bach, were seen as significant places for religious ceremony at this time of conflict and change," he continued.
Gwilt said that the ram's head fitting, in particular, was most likely made following Celtic artistic musings, which fit with the other objects in terms of significance to the watery bodies surrounding the area.
The curator sees this specific artifact as a "future star" in its upcoming exhibition at Oriel Môn, an art gallery and museum at the heart of Anglesey. Other objects in the discovery will also join the ram head in the would-be show.
