Code: 12972
This is a very rare basal-looped spearhead dating to the Taunton Phase of the Middle Bronze Age, c. 1400 - 1300 BC. It was found on the 21st April 2000 in Tal y Bont, Merioneth in north Wales, exposed by coastal erosion from a peat bog. It was recorded by the Museum of Wales, Bangor, where it was dated, authenticated, and, due to its superb condition (and the inclusion of part of the wooden shaft still inside) it was classified as "unique". The original finder kept this superb spear as one of his best finds; it comes with full paperwork, photographs, and a May 2001 Treasure Hunting article. I acquired this spear from his family, along with an early Bronze Age axe, and I reserved pride of place for it in my private collection!
This is an exceptional survivor and very rare to find in the UK. It must have been first deposited in a bog, either as an offering or hurled as a spear in a magical ritual act; its location deep in a bog was too dangerous for anyone to retrieve. It stayed buried for many thousands of years until the sea finally eroded the peat into the sand, where it was found by a metal detectorist. Any length of time exposed to seawater would have eroded the surfaces and corroded the patina. Even rarer is the original wooden haft still lodged inside, testimony to the magical preservation of peat bogs!
This is a rare item and will not be exported outside of the UK
OBJECT: Spearhead
CULTURE: Middle Bronze Age
DATE: c. 1600 - 1000 BC (Taunton Phase of this spear c. 1400 -1300 BC)
MATERIAL: Bronze
SIZE: 220mm x 32mm x (shaft c. 50mm long x 16-17mm dia)
WEIGHT: 112.43 grams
PROVENANCE: Originally from Tal y Bont, Merioneth in north Wales in 2000
