Bronze Age artefacts found at Bowes are declared treasure

A FATHER and son have uncovered their second major Bronze Age hoard in as many years in Teesdale.

Metal detectorists David and Kevin Hopper saw their collection of 21 artefacts dating from 900-800BC declared treasure at Crook Coroner’s Court last week after digging near Bowes.

The pair, from Bishop Auckland, found a rare copper alloy hammer and a number of spearheads while out detecting in July last year.

Former highways inspector Mr Hopper snr said his son was searching among reeds when something caught their attention. The 62-year-old added: “After five minutes, he pulled up a lovely spearhead – we dug a two foot hole and we were pulling out stuff all the time. Once we find something we have little pointers we put down.

“We were more or less digging it out with little hand shovels.

“Kevin found a very rare hammer head and it’s in really good condition.”

Dating from the late Bronze Age the pair’s finds were uncovered from a two foot square ditch dug on rough ground.

Assistant coroner Dr Leslie Hamilton ruled both the copper hammer and the hoard were treasure last Wednesday (August 9) and congratulated the pair on their discoveries.

He said: “Normally we deal with people who have died but this is an unusual role we carry out.

“The British Museum concluded they did meet the criteria to qualify as treasure and David and Kevin Hopper were the finders.”

Dr Hamilton added: “Thank you for coming.

“It must be quite exciting when it’s your hobby and particularly when you have done this before.

“It’s my very pleasant duty to do this.”

Pre-historic metal finds and items at least 300 years old with a silver or gold content of more than ten per cent are required to be reported to the coroner.

Once investigations are complete, artefacts are offered to the British Museum and others to see if they want it.

Finders are then offered a reward and sometimes money can be given to the owner of the land.

The Hoppers said they have spent in the region of £5,000 on detecting equipment since taking up the hobby six years ago.

It isn’t the first time they’ve struck lucky in Teesdale.

The pair uncovered a collection a spearheads and sword parts in August 2015 which were then sold on to Durham University’s Palace Green Museum for £800.

Mr Hopper said his son could end up keeping the latest collection if there was no museum interest.

“It depends if the museum wants to buy it or not,” he added.

Dr Hamilton told the inquest he was under “strict instruction” not to reveal the land where the discovery was made to prevent the site being overrun with other enthusiasts.

In the meantime, the father-son pairing have just lined up permission for another site.

Mr Hopper snr said: “We go out as often as possible – at least once a week. Sometimes on a weekend or sometimes on a night.

“You try to relate what you find to the land and the history of the place.

He added: “Near the river, we are trying to work out where there could be a settlement.

“That’s what we are really looking for.”