A metal detectorist has recently discovered a hoard of over 100 bronze items near Tisbury. Luckily, after unearthing a spear head, he decided not to disturb the ground any further and notified a team of archaeologists who were able to excavate the rest of the hoard. The finds, which date from the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, include tools and weapons such as swords, axes -heads and spear-heads. Even though some of the items are 1,000 years older than others, the hoard was clearly buried together for some, as yet unknown, purpose. The hoard will be sent to the British Museum where it will be catalogued, assessed and valued in advance of an inquest to determine whether it should be classified as Treasure Trove. The items have been on display, briefly, at Salisbury & South Wilts Museum and it is hoped that the museum will have the opportunity to acquire them after the inquest.
(Photo and details about the hoard courtesy of Salisbury Journal)