Register here - as a registered user you get more features and fewer ads.
Plunder is a strong word. They were put in the museum at Cardiff as at the time there was no place on Anglesey to display them. Remember it was during the second world war that they were found. When first found the importance of the finds was not realised. I remember reading that a slave chain was used to tow vehicles before it was realised that it was an Iron Age artifact. The last thing on peoples minds at the time would have been displaying them, just making sure they were in a safe place.
I understand now that there is somewhere where the objects can be displayed so they could be returned. Also of interest is that the councillors asking for their return have said that some items could remain in Cardiff and some in Anglesey or have a scheme where items are permantly kept on Anglesey but different items rotated between the museums. This seems sensible as many more people would get to see them than if they were in just one place all the time.
The past belongs to us all so as many people as possible should be able to see these objects.
I live in Cardiff and often go to the museum. I don't have a car so there are many places which are difficult or impossible to visit. At the museum I get to see artifacts from different parts of Wales I would not see if they were kept in their original find spot. Some of these artifacts are from areas not that accessible. I have seen objects there that I had only ever seen in books before. Seeing them for real is completely different.
Also many school parties visit the museum. Some of these children come from poor backgrounds. They never get a holiday so the chances of them visiting areas where these artifacts are found are non existent. They get a chance to see the artifacts of their ancestors and to learn about their way of life. There is no entrance fee to the museum. They have a discovery room for children where they can learn about the environment, art, geology, archaeology and history. Educating children from all backgrounds is important.
Unfortunatly not every place in Wales has a good public transport system.
In an ideal world artifacts found in a particular area would have a special museum built for them and would be accessible to all. Unfortunatly this is not the case.
I would love there to be enough money and resources for every town and village to have its own purpose built museum with space for activities and lectures with a good public transport system that isn't expensive and actually runs on time and regularly.
Untill that happens then artifacts will go to central museums. This doesn't apply only to Wales. At the moment I can't see anything changing as money is an issue.
The suggestion that the original dig should be opened is a good idea. It has been buried long enough. I understand that many more artifacts are probably still down there. Surely the RAF could give this area back to the people of Anglesey. The area could be reinvestigated and a museum put on the site.
Anglesey is a very interesting place not just archaeologically. The councillors suggestions are sensible and to be honest there doesn't appear to be an argument here, just a request. Hopefully that request will be taken seriously and some sort of agreement reached that will benifit every-one.
Something is not right. This message is just to keep things from messing up down the road