The detectorist and the sun pendant: how Bob made “most significant Bronze Age metalwork find” in last 100 years

Bob Greenaway, a retired former engineer from Oswestry, found a sun pendant in an undisclosed Shropshire field in 2018.

The stunning 3,000-year-old pendant is on display to the public for the very first time today (Friday 10 September 2021), at Shropshire Council’s Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery.

Picture by Shaun Fellows / Shine Pix Ltd. Pictured are Bob Greenaway (Detectorist) and Emma-Kate Lanyon (Shropshire Council’s Curator of the Exhibition).

Bob recalls the once-in-a-lifetime find:-

“It was a Saturday afternoon and I had planned to go metal detecting in a field where I’ve found many objects previously. I nearly didn’t as I was invited to go sailing instead, but I just felt like I needed to go and have a look.

“I’d been in the field a while and something made me look up and choose another spot to set down my metal detector. Within about an hour it started bleeping. I dug around the spot and there, about 8 inches underneath the peat, I found something that took my breath away.

“It was a beautiful gold pendant. It was gleaming, even though I’d just pulled it from the ground.

“I picked it up and studied the intricate markings – it was perfect. As I turned it over in my hand, I felt sure that it must be damaged on the other side, but it wasn’t. In fact, it was even more beautiful.

“I quickly put it in my top pocket, ensuring that nothing else was in there, to keep it safe. I knew I’d stumbled across something really special.

“I just couldn’t carry on with metal detecting – I was too excited. I went to see the farmer who I told about my find.”

Picture by Shaun Fellows / Shine Pix Ltd. Pictured are Bob Greenaway (Detectorist)

Bob has been metal detecting for around 25 years and his interest has continued to grow. He’s found many historically significant pieces from prehistoric axes to arrow heads, which are also on display at the museum. He is equally passionate about all of his finds, but agrees that the sun pendant is truly special.

He added:

“I’m so pleased that the sun pendant is here at the museum for all to see, for the first time in 3,000 years. It’s a legacy which I hope we will continue to learn from.”

Picture by Shaun Fellows / Shine Pix Ltd. Pictured are Bob Greenaway (Detectorist)

It’s free to see the sun pendant, but people are advised to book a ticket to avoid any disappointment https://www.shropshiremuseums.org.uk/smag/