Mystery as 4k-year-old axe-heads sent to museum
Two 4,000-year-old axe-heads were sent anonymously to the National Museum of Ireland, sparking interest in their origin. The museum emphasizes the importance of reporting archaeological finds and preserving heritage.
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Two 4,000-year-old axe-heads were anonymously sent to the National Museum of Ireland, described as a significant archaeological find. The sender, who discovered the items in County Westmeath using a metal detector, expressed a desire for the artefacts to be conserved by the museum. However, the letter did not provide specific details about their origin, prompting the museum to appeal for more information to understand the context of the discovery. The museum reminded the public of the legal restrictions on metal detecting in Ireland to protect the archaeological heritage. The artefacts, estimated to date back to 2150-2000 BC, were carefully packaged in a flapjack box and foam cut-outs for safe delivery. The museum emphasized the importance of reporting archaeological discoveries and preserving such treasures for the state. This incident echoes a similar event in 2016 when Bronze Age axes and Viking jewelry were sent anonymously to the museum.
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- Many commenters criticize the strict laws and heavy fines associated with metal detecting in Ireland, suggesting these laws discourage people from reporting archaeological finds.
- Some speculate that the anonymous sender might be a landowner or someone who found the items accidentally and wanted to avoid legal trouble.
- There is a discussion about the potential for a more balanced approach, such as permits or licenses for metal detecting, to encourage reporting while preserving heritage.
- Commenters also express skepticism about the museum's promise of confidentiality, fearing that the sender's identity might eventually be disclosed.
- Some comments humorously speculate on the origins and potential stories behind the axe-heads, including fictional scenarios.
23 comments> However, appealing to the sender to get back in touch, staff said information about the discovery of the axe-heads would be "treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely to verify the find location and its circumstances".
Says the current administration until someone else replaces them or someone eager to see justice served from the law enforcement forces them to disclose their source.
No wonder they donated anonymously, what an insane law.
EDIT: Shout-Out for metal detecting in the UK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detectorists
Them to Sender: "Where did you get these from? It is very important!"
Them to Public: "We want to remind everyone that metal detecting for something like this is illegal and will be fined!"
Also Them to Sender: "Oh...err...but we won't apply that to you!" wink wink
So if you were (say) digging some footings for your new garden shed, found the items, and didn't much trust law enforcement - but were, in abstract, a patriotic sort, who wanted to do the right thing...
True story: A friend of mine was digging foundations for a new shed in the back yard of a house he owned - and discovered human bones. Police got involved, and it was a big, big PITA. Even though experts from the local university pronounced "the remains were buried over a century ago; the victim appears to have died of infectious disease". And my friend had bought the house (from an unrelated party) just a few decades prior. And the house had been used as a hospital a century or so earlier, when "bury the paupers in the back yard" could easily be tiny-hospital SOP during an epidemic.
What if you use it to search for non-archaeological objects, but then accidentally find one?
Not surprising they receive anonymous donations without information if they treat finders like that.
What if you are searching for gold, lost items, underground cables, or other, and you stumble upon an archaeological object? You were not hunting those objects, so I would say you were within the law. What you do with the fortuitous find is another matter (IANAL).
My brother and I were the first to buy a house in our immediate family. My Uncle Vic was the first to say you never really own your house or land. You pay property taxes after you have paid off your house. Your land can be taken with little compensation in some matters, etc. I can see why you would be happy and worried at the same time discovering artifacts whether you were looking for them or not.
Now, if there were ample of compensations, then it becomes tenable and possibly fairer.
You should pass on this brand of British & Wales “presumptive justice” until they treat their citizen (as well as their jailed subpostmasters) better.
Maybe there is a way to deal with it? With licenses/permits including training and a ban on reselling?
The nanny state is allergic to common sense.
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