A HOARD of Bronze Age artefacts discovered by a man and his metal-detector in Abergele have been purchased by Conwy Museums Service.

The artefacts were found by Colin Rivett in April 2017. Colin left most of the objects buried in the ground and contacted Mark Lodwick, Co-ordinator of the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Wales (PAS Cymru), for advice.

An 'archaeological findspot investigation' of the hoard was undertaken soon after by a small team of archaeologists. This was led by Mr Lodwick and Colin assisted. 

Careful investigation and recording of the burial context was carried out and recovery of the hoard artefacts was done as part of an ongoing treasure case (Treasure Case 17.07). The collection was then couriered to Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, where specialist curator Adam Gwilt reported on the hoard for the Coroner.

The hoard was later declared treasure by HM Coroner for North Wales (East and Central) in February 2022 and couriered to The British Museum, where it was independently valued through the Treasure Valuation Committee.

Following successful fundraising activity, the items were acquired and handed over to the county’s Museum Service. Funding was secured from Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and The Headley Trust.

The treasure consists of 13 artefacts dated to the late Bronze Age (1200-700BC) and provides new evidence for Late Bronze Age occupation in Conwy County. There are also links to be investigated with the Great Orme Bronze Age copper mine, which is around 12 miles from the hoard find spot.

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Once conserved, the artefacts will go on display at Conwy Culture Centre and outreach events are planned, particularly with schools and groups from the Abergele area.

Rachel Evans, Museum Development and Accreditation Support Officer said: “We are immensely excited to bring this Bronze Age hoard home to Conwy County. It enriches the history of Bronze Age North Wales and offers new stories of what people were doing here during this time. We are thankful to our brilliant funders for this opportunity to have the objects on display for the people of Conwy.”

Cllr Aaron Wynne, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure said: “We’d like to thank our funders for enabling us to acquire this fantastic collection for the people of Conwy County for future generations to enjoy, and thanks to Amgueddfa Cymru for supporting us to make this acquisition.”