Members of the public using metal detectors have uncovered hoards of treasure dating back thousands of years hidden in west Wales communities. The three finds which range from the Bronze Age to post-medieval periods were all discovered in Carmarthenshire and were officially declared as treasure on Friday more than a year and a half after being found.
Back in November 2020, Richard Trew was metal detecting in the Llanddeusant area, south of Llandovery, when he discovered a hoard containing one large spearhead, three small spear fragments, a bracelet fragment, nine ribbed socketed axes, two plain socketed axes, one faceted axe, two sheet bronze fragments and a casting jet. To get the latest Carmarthenshire stories sent directly to you for free, click here.
These may be identified as artefact types belonging to the late Bronze Age, buried together as a hoard around 1000-800 BCE, as long as three thousand years ago. Archaeologists from Dyfed Archaeological Trust and National Museum Wales carried out an investigation of the area in which the hoard was discovered, with funding support from Cadw. The results of this investigation suggest that the artefacts were buried together in a specially dug pit, seemingly far away from any Bronze Age settlement.
