ROMAN SWORD "TREASURE" DISCOVERED

A rare roman sword has been discovered in Bodenham, Herefordshire, by a man walking his dog and it’s one of the most exciting archaeological finds of the last decade!

The Roman iron sword was found along the banks of the River Lugg by Mr Robin Jarvis when he was out walking his dog.

The find was only recently authenticated after staff at Hereford Museum called in help from experts in the Royal Armouries in Leeds and The British Museum.

Judy Stevenson, Hereford Museum’s Collections and Access Officer, said: “We’re delighted by the find and very pleased it was brought to the museum for identification instead of being mistakenly thrown into the river as iron junk!”

Experts have now identified the sword as a spatha probably from the Second or Third Century. It is one of only eight found in this country. A sword similar in size has been found in August in Germany.

Iron swords like this would rarely survive buried in the ground for nearly two thousand years so the size and condition of this sword make it a very important relic from Herefordshire’s Roman past.

Mr Jarvis found the sword late last summer, whilst pausing in his walk to clean the mud from his boots.

At first thinking that it was an iron hoop from a wooden barrel, Mr Jarvis began to wonder if the find might be something more exciting, and so brought it in to Hereford Museum and Art Gallery for identification.

Judy added: The owner of the land where the sword was recovered, and therefore the sword’s official owner, Mr. Jim Dover, is delighted with the discovery.

“He has very kindly agreed to give it to the museum so that it can be properly conserved and enjoyed by everyone.”

The sword is on display in the foyer of Hereford Museum & Library until July 25th, along with other ‘Watery Finds’.

Meanwhile, Hereford Museum is running a free Archaeology activity day for children and families, on Saturday July 17th, as part of National Archaeology Weekend.

More follows

‘Ready, Steady, Dig’ is being held on the grass outside the Grange in Leominster, between Etnam Street Car Park and the Priory Church, near to the children’s playground.

Come along between 11pm and 3pm and join in the fun, it is absolutely FREE.

Have a go at excavating a skeleton, finding pottery, identifying objects, drawing, roller printing, or dressing up in a Roman toga. Bring along anything you’ve found in your garden or field and get it identified and recorded by our Portable Antiquities Officer, Peter Reavill.

Further details from Hereford Museum 01432 260692.