Metal detectorist's second 'extraordinary' find of Bronze Age treasure arrives at NMS
Metal detectorist Mariusz Stepien has twice struck it incredibly lucky as his passion unlocks more detail on Scotland’s Bronze Age
A metal detectorist said it was “quite extraordinary” to have discovered his second Bronze Age hoard in just two years in the Scottish Borders.
Mariusz Stepien found his latest haul of 3,000-year-old treasure in 2022, at a spot just seven miles away from where he discovered the Peebles Hoard in 2020.
The 2022 hoard has now arrived at NMS for conservation.
Dubbed the Blyth Hoard, Mr Stepien’s latest find contains some remarkable objects dating from the Late Bronze Age (circa 1150 to 800BC).
It features two bronze axe-heads, and clay moulds potentially used to manufacture some of the unique bronze fittings in the nearby Peebles Hoard.
It also includes a complete copper ingot, which is said to be the first of its kind found in Scotland.
Mr Stepien, from Loanhead, who runs a house renovation business, said he is now looking forward to seeing what further research can reveal about both hoards – and about the people behind them.
“When I first discovered the Blyth Hoard, I was excited to have found more Bronze Age material in an area that I already knew was archaeologically significant,” he said.
“At that stage, I had no idea just how important the discovery might turn out to be.
“Having previously discovered the Peebles Hoard, it is quite extraordinary to think that two discoveries I made so close to one another could be connected.
“Finding something is one thing, but seeing the amount of work that goes into understanding, preserving and researching, it has been a really interesting part of the whole experience.
“I’m very pleased to have been able to play a small part in that process, and I’m looking forward to seeing what further research and conservation can reveal about both hoards and, ultimately, about the people behind them.”
Mr Stepien found the hoard after spotting a possible outline of a round building on the ground. A strong and steady signal started to emit from his metal detector, and he started digging and then removing stones one by one.
Excavation by archaeologists also revealed an ancient stone cairn.
Experts at NMS hope that analysis of the ingot might point towards the geographical source of the metals used in the making of the bronze objects in both hoards.
Dr Matthew Knight, curator of prehistory, Bronze Age collections at NMS, said: “This is one of those classic archaeological finds that initially doesn’t look like much, but is actually really incredible and has many stories to tell.
“It’s really rare for mould materials to survive at all, so it’s a special find in its own right, but the proximity and relationship to the Peebles Hoard makes it all the more extraordinary.
“We must thank the finder who, just as he did with the Peebles Hoard, reported the find to the Treasure Trove Unit right away, which enabled us to better understand this important context and excavate the material swiftly and safely.”
Under Scots law, archaeological finds discovered in Scotland must be reported to the Treasure Trove Unit, based at NMS, where they are recorded and assessed.
Significant finds may be claimed on behalf of the Crown by the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer and allocated to museums through the Treasure Trove system, where they can be preserved and enjoyed for public benefit.
The Peebles Hoard was discovered after a group of archeologists spent 22 days investigating the site, with Mr Stepien among those camping in a nearby field as investigations got underway.
Since the Peebles Hoard was allocated to NMS, cleaning and conservation revealed an unexpectedly silver hue to the bronze material, which has been attributed to high levels of tin on the surface.
It is thought that highly skilled craftspeople created the silver finish, at a time when silver was unknown, to enrich the appearance of the adornment to reflect the wealth of the owner.
Dating to 1000–800 BCE, the Peebles Hoard comprises over 500 unusual bronze and organic objects and components, many without archaeological parallel anywhere in the world.
The soil in the Peebles field also preserved the leather and wood attached to the bronze objects, allowing experts to trace the straps that connected the rings and buckles of the harness. This was a unique find and allowed the experts to see for the very first time how Bronze Age horse harnesses were assembled.
The two rattle pendants amongst the hoard are the first to be found in Scotland and are more commonly found in Denmark, northern Germany and northern Poland.
They would have been hung on a horse’s harness to sound when the horse moved to emit a sense of status and presence of the rider, it is believed.
A sword still in its wooden scabbard and an array of small bronze buttons looped on to cords are among other exceptional survivals.
Tiny bronze pins, studs and bosses embedded in wood and leather were also discovered, along with the remains of complex decorative straps.
Experts believe the treasures are capable of “transforming our understanding of Bronze Age Scotland” given they illustrate a country linked to an international network of communities across the North Sea.
The hoard, which lay undisturbed for 3,000 years, was discovered by Mr Stepien in the Borders in June 2020.
He was later paid £80,000 when the hoard was acquired by National Museum of Scotland through the Treasure Trove process.
The NMS said further research into both the Peebles and Blyth Hoards will continue.
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