Shropshire fields turn over more fascinating finds
HM Senior Coroner for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin John Ellery has ruled in 10 separate treasure inquests today (Thursday 20 July 2023): all relating to finds in the Shropshire countryside and dating as far back as the Bronze Age.
They were:
A fragment of a copper alloy blade fragment, probably of Late Bronze Age date (c.1150-750 BC), found in Whittington: Although the object was reported as a single find, it has recently become apparent that this item should have been considered as part of the Late Bronze Age Hoard reported in 2017.
A fragment of a copper alloy blade. Credit: PAS Cymru National Museum Wales
An incomplete silver mount of possible Roman date (c.AD 43-150) discovered in Whitchurch.
An incomplete silver mount of possible Roman date. Credit: National Museum Liverpool
A complete silver gilt post medieval ring dating to the late medieval to early post medieval period (c.AD 1400-1600) also found in Whitchurch.
A complete silver gilt post medieval ring. Credit: National Museums Liverpool
A mostly complete gold pendant with large garnet setting, dating to the Early Medieval period (c.AD 600-700), revealed in Norton-in-Hales.
A mostly complete gold pendant with large garnet setting dating to the Early Medieval period. Credit: National Museums Liverpool
An assemblage of four copper alloy objects, all of potentially Bronze Age date, unearthed in Whittington.
An assemblage of four copper alloy objects. Credit: Birmingham Museums Trust
Post Medieval Silver Seal Matrix found at Moreton Say.
Post Medieval Silver Seal Matrix. Credit: National Museum Liverpool
A complete silver gilt lace tag dating to the post medieval period (c.AD 1500-1700) discovered in Lee Brockhurst.
A complete silver gilt lace tag dating to the post medieval period. Credit: National Museums Liverpool
A complete silver button or dress fastener dating to the post medieval period (c.AD 1600- 1700) also recovered in Lee Brockhurst.
A complete silver button or dress fastener dating to the post medieval period. Credit: National Museums Liverpool
A complete silver seal matrix dating to the post medieval period (c.AD 1600-1750), found in Whitchurch.
A complete silver seal matrix dating to the post medieval period. Credit: National Museums Liverpool
Post-Medieval gold finger-ring, discovered in Ludlow.
Post-Medieval gold finger-ring. Credit: Birmingham Museums Trust
Emma-Kate Lanyon, Shropshire Council museums service curator, said:-
“This exciting batch of Shropshire finds give us a remarkable opportunity to get in touch with our past. In particular the gold and garnet pendant, which is an unusual find for the area. It would have belonged to someone of some status and importance, most likely a woman, and would have consisted of several such pieces strung together.
“Some thousand years later another woman lost the gold posy ring found in Ludlow. This is also a very personal object, as it was probably a gift between lovers with a private message inscribed inside the band.”
Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said:-
“It is incredible that the countryside is still turning over artefacts dating so far back in time and offering us even more insight into Shropshire’s population and settlements.
“It must be incredibly rewarding to make this kind of discovery, and we are indebted to the people who act responsibly and report the finds and allow us all to share in their history.”
Shropshire Council hopes to secure grant aid to acquire the items.
Fay Bailey, Shropshire Council’s museums and archives manager, added:-
“They are really exciting objects and another important jigsaw piece that will help us reveal the unique history of Shropshire. We hope to be able to share them with our visitors soon.”
