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Metal detectorist finds second Bronze Age hoard in Scottish Borders
Overview
Metal detectorist Mariusz Stepien has discovered a second 3,000-year-old Bronze Age hoard in the Scottish Borders, located seven miles from his previous find, the Peebles Hoard. Named the Blyth Hoard, the new discovery dates from between 1150BC and 850BC and includes bronze axe-heads, clay moulds, and a complete copper ingot—the first of its kind found in Scotland. The items have been taken to the National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh for conservation and analysis.
Key points
- Metal detectorist Mariusz Stepien discovered the Blyth Hoard in 2022 in the Scottish Borders.
- The find spot is seven miles away from where he discovered the Peebles Hoard in 2020.
- The artefacts date from the Late Bronze Age between 1150BC and 850BC.
- The hoard includes two bronze axe-heads, rare clay moulds, and a complete copper ingot considered the first of its kind found in Scotland.
- Experts believe the clay moulds may have been used to make unique bronze fittings found in the earlier Peebles Hoard.
- The find has been brought to the National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh for analysis and conservation.