Museum raises money to keep 'very rare' treasure

The hoard of 50 Bronze Age artefacts is considered "exceptionally rare" for Ceredigion

Supporters of a museum hope to raise £4,200 to keep a hoard of Bronze Age treasure in Ceredigion.

More than 50 artefacts from about 3,000 years ago were found by metal detectorists in a field near Llangeithio, Ceredigion, in 2020.

The items include tools and body ornaments and were declared treasure by a coroner.

Aberystwyth Museum can buy the artefacts, so its supporters are trying to raise the money needed to keep them in the county.

"It’s a very rare find," said museum supporter Cyril Evans. "It includes hammers, spear heads and body jewellery... a very comprehensive collection and it just goes to prove how advanced these people were at the time.

There are only two vague historical accounts of previous finds being registered.

"These sorts of Bronze Age are not two-a-penny," said Prof Martin Bates from University of Wales Trinity St David in Lampeter.

"We have quite a few of them around the United Kingdom but here in Ceredigion, I believe, this is the first well-provenanced hoard of its kind.

"So it’s a really significant find for Ceredigion."

Mr Evans has started an online fundraiser.