Nottinghamshire metal detectorist unearths rare Bronze Age artefact

The object is believed to be a dress or cloak fastener

A metal detectorist said he was "gobsmacked" after unearthing a rare Bronze Age artefact.

Jonathan Needham, a retired tree surgeon from Hucknall in Nottinghamshire, found the 3,000-year-old gold dress or cloak fastener at Ellastone, in Staffordshire.

The discovery, detailed in a new report by the British Museum, is believed to be only one of seven found in England.

The item is likely to be acquired by a museum.

The item "illustrates cultural links between Ireland and Britain during the Bronze Age" according to the British Museum

Mr Needham said he did not know what he had found at first and thought it was a faded aluminium drawer handle.

He then posted a picture of it online.

"Straight away people said it was 3,000-year-old gold and at that point we were able to celebrate," he said.

"We were punching the roof at what we had found."

Mr Needham handed the item to Derby Museum the next day - as required by the Treasure Act 1996.

It is believed an important person would have worn the fastener

Meghan King, finds liaison officer for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, said she believed the artefact came from Ireland.

"We think it was probably worn by an important person as it's really well crafted and it's a beautiful piece," she said.

The object will now be independently valued and Mr Needham will split the finder's fee with the landowner.

Although unsure of the valuation, Mr Needham said he thought it would be a "life-changing amount".