Bronze ritual spoon dating back 2,000 years found

The spoon dates back to between 400 BC to 100 BC

A 2,000-year-old bronze spoon believed to have been used in ceremonies to tell the future has been discovered by metal detectorist in the west of the Isle of Man.

It is the first of its kind to be uncovered on the island, and while similar examples have been located in the UK, Ireland and France, it is one of only 28 worldwide.

The spoon, which dates back to between 400 BC and 100 BC, was found by Rob Middleton on land in Patrick owned by farmer David Anderson.

Curator for archaeology for Manx National Heritage Allison Fox said it was one of the "most intriguing objects ever discovered on the island".

Although the exact function of the spoon was unknown, it was thought the principle theory was that it was used in divination rituals in a bid to predict the future.

Known as the Patrick-Middleton spoon, it has been donated to the Manx National Collections cared for by MNH and is set to go on display on Friday at the House of Manannan.

Rob Middleton (centre) found the spoon while metal detecting

The spoon has a broad, strawberry-shaped bowl and a circular handle with spiral designs.

Ms Fox said it had been suggested that liquid would have been poured into one of the spoons, which were usually found in pairs, with the quarter it landed in telling something about the future.

But the details of those ceremonies had been "lost in the mist of time", she said.

Iron Age finds were "relatively scarce", in particular bronze spoons dating to the period were "rare" and the discovery illustrated "potential prehistoric ritual activity" on the island, Ms Fox said.

"Donations such as this really help us explore what our ancestors were up to, and this find in particular puts the Isle of Man firmly on the map of Iron Age ritual," she added.