Neolithic axehead found near Norwich
Submitted by coldrum on Tuesday, 06 October 2009 Page Views: 4826
Neolithic and Bronze AgeIt's not exactly up there with the huge haul of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver found in Staffordshire, but one amateur archaeologist has made his own discovery near Norwich.David Soanes found an eight-inch long Neolithic axehead, dating from around 4,000BC while using his metal detector to hunt for treasures from the past.
Mr Soanes, who works at Morrison's supermarket at Riverside, Norwich, said he could sell the item for £400, but he has pledged to give it to Norwich Castle Museum.
The 64-year-old, from Elizabeth Avenue, Thorpe St Andrew, is a member of the Norwich Detectors club which meets monthly in Rosary Road in Thorpe Hamlet.
He said he did not wish to reveal the exact location where he found the flint head only that it was on the outskirts of Norwich. Norfolk has previously been named one of the most prolific places in the country for metal detector finds.
He said: “I have never found anything as good as this before, and it was just lying on the surface. When I saw it I said 'Blimey, look at this'.
“A dealer has already offered me about £400 for it, but I will donate it to the Castle Museum. I have already given the museum quite a few of my finds.”
Tim Pestell, curator of archaeology at Norwich Castle Museum, said the item was not particularly rare but would still be gratefully received.
He said: “The whole collection at the museum is based on the generosity of the citizens of Norwich in donating items to us in the last 150 years.
“If Mr Soanes does donate this item to us that would be a continuation of that, and we would obviously be very grateful to him.”
The find comes amid national jubilation at the massive hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver found by a metal detector enthusiast in Staffordshire.
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