Iron Age and Roman objects declared treasure after being found in 'boggy' field

Artefacts dating back nearly 2,000 years ago which were found in a “boggy” field in Anglesey have been officially declared treasure.

Pic: Museum Wales

At a hearing on Wednesday, senior coroner for north west Wales, Kate Robertson, made the ruling over 16 objects which were from the Iron Age and Roman times.

The metal ram’s head. Pic: Museum Wales

Ian Porter discovered the treasure on 4 March 2020 while metal-detecting in the community of Llanfair-Mathafarn-Eithaf.

The items include a number of Iron Age chariot and Roman cavalry fittings from the latter part of the first century AD, including a ram’s head.

The Roman era items included a decorated brooch and four coins.

The discoveries were all made in a “boggy area” of a field which is liable to waterlogging.

The “unusual” bronze, copper and lead artefacts are thought to have been given as religious offerings.

The chariot fittings, cavalry harness pieces and brooch were all placed around 50-120 AD.

Mr Porter said he was “so excited” when he found the treasure.

“To think that the last person who touched them lived almost two thousand years ago and it shows some of the history of the island,” he added.

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Adam Gwilt, principal curator for prehistory at Museum Wales, said the discovery was “an important new find for the island”.

“It was placed during or in the aftermath of the period of invasion of the island by the Roman army,” he added.

Oriel Mon museum in Anglesey has expressed interest in acquiring the group of artefacts, so they may soon find a home on the island where they were found.