Bronze Age knife discovered on beach by tourists - DW members!

[Neil]

By Sarah Griffiths

A 3,000-year-old Bronze Age knife has been discovered on a popular beach by two curious holidaymakers. These two have been on a DW rally before - well done guys! Looks more like an axe to me!

Experts believe it would probably have been used as a leather working tool, rather than as a weapon.

Christopher and June Preece came across the ancient knife or tool (pictured) hidden beneath a stone slab on the beach. Experts believe it would probably have been used as a leather working tool, rather than as a weapon

While most people would be content sunbathing or collecting shells, the couple from Banbury, Oxfordshire, used a metal detector to hunt for historical objects and were surprised to find such an old tool.

They took it to the Isle of Wight Council's finds liaison officer, Frank Basford, who confirmed the knife was made in 1,000BC.

He told them the object is a small knife from the Bronze Age made from copper alloy.

Mr Preece, an artist said: ‘June and I love searching for items with our metal detectors.

The knife was found by Christopher Preece and his wife June (pictured here). Mr Preece, an artist said: ‘June and I love searching for items with our metal detectors... I have a keen interest in history and immediately thought they were very old, because the knife has a green colour which is often found on old copper.'
 
While most people would be content sunbathing or collecting shells, the couple from Banbury, Oxfordshire, used a metal detector to hunt for historical objects and were surprised to find such an old tool on Sandown beach on the Isle of Wight

They took the knife (pictured) to the Isle of Wight Council's finds liaison officer, Frank Basford, who confirmed the it was made in 1,000BC


Flemming Kaul, curator at the National Museum of Denmark, said: ''Maybe the spirals have been attached to cords which have served as a small fringe on a hat or a parasol.'

'Perhaps they have been braided into the hair or been embroidered on the suit.

'The fact is that we do not know, but I tend to believe they were part of a priest king's costume or headwear.'
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‘We were enjoying a one-week holiday and were walking on Sandown Beach when the detector buzzed and we noticed that the objects looked unusual.

‘I have a keen interest in history and immediately thought they were very old, because the knife has a green colour which is often found on old copper.

‘The shape also gave me an indication it was an historical artefact. ‘

He said it was an ‘unbelievable feeling’ when they found out the knife is 3,000 years old.

The Bronze Age knife is now on display at Newport Roman Villa on the island, along with a button the couple found that dates to the 17th century
 
Councillor Shirley Smart, Isle of Wight Council Executive member for tourism, said: ‘This is a wonderful discovery for the Isle of Wight. This image shows Sandown's beach and promenade in the early 19th century

‘It's amazing someone made that 3,000 years ago to use - I couldn't even make one now even with all of the latest technology available.

‘It is remarkable the knife is still here and it's a great feeling that I was able to save it before it got washed away.’

June added: ‘To be told the knife is several thousand years old is just incredible. We never thought what we found was so old.'

The Bronze Age knife is now on display at Newport Roman Villa on the island, along with a button the couple found that dates to the 17th century.

Councillor Shirley Smart, Isle of Wight Council Executive member for tourism, said: ‘This is a wonderful discovery for the Isle of Wight.

‘I want to personally thank Christopher and June for not only making the finds but also kindly donating them to us so that people can enjoy them.’

[probono]

that's not a bad thing to find on a beach - I heard that many have been found in Swansea bay.........better get there before they flood it.

[Val Beechey]

Hats off to them for lifting the stone slab and digging it out.  Makes you wonder how many interesting things get missed because they are 'under a big stone' so get left.  I've done it, to my shame, I admit but there's digging and there's digging as I'm sure most will agree.

Another interesting post Neil.

[wet feet again]

Was he in abba ?lol