When he was very young, Welsh local Mike Smith could usually be found exploring fields and the woods near his hometown of Pembrokeshire in his free time. Curious about the world and what he would be able to find, it wasn’t long before he got his hands on a metal detector, igniting his passion in an entirely new way.
While finding so-called “buried treasure” was always the goal, little did he know that one day he would be part of a discovery so massive that it gained attention far and wide, showcasing him as more than just a hobbyist in the field. Prepare to be blown away by one of his magnificent discoveries, which was both culturally and financially significant.
The Man Behind The Metal
It’s commonly known that metal detector enthusiasts are often found searching for hidden trinkets lurking on the surface below the ground. For Mike Smith, this was part of the rush, and each time he went out on a search he hoped to stumble onto something valuable. He had envisioned finding gold one day ever since he started his journey with metal detection.
The Man Behind The Metal
On a cloudy morning, a now-adult Mike found himself deep in thought while scanning for the precious metal. It would only take a couple of minutes for the machine to beep loudly, and more regularly. Would this be one of his biggest discoveries yet? He was instantly curious about what was hidden below the depths of his soles.
A Jolt of Excitement
Naturally, the persistent loud beeps sent a jolt of electricity through his spine. For any metal detector hobbyist, this is an exciting moment, usually with a tiny payoff. This time, Mike had a feeling that his discovery was going to be different.
A Jolt Of Excitement
This was not a moment for him to lose concentration. He knew that a simple dig would reveal what was under the surface. What he didn’t know at that time, but he would soon be learning, was that his discovery was going to result in him needing to get the authorities involved.
Sweeping The Area For More
To those familiar with metal detectors and how they are used, it makes sense not to focus on a small surface area when the machine starts to beep. A skilled user, Mike immediately scanned the surrounding land to get a sense as to how wide his dig was going to need to be. Naturally, he didn’t think it would be more than a foot or two.
Sweeping The Area For More
The beeping didn’t stop and continued as he swept across the field. If anything, the beeping got even more pronounced as he tested further areas. Naturally, Mike pondered whether the machine was faulty, which as it turns out, was not the case.
The Digging Begins
Trusting his gut and deciding that he was going to take a risk on this one, Mike started digging for the hidden treasure beneath the ground. He knew that he had to go with his instincts, which was telling him that today was going to be a special day, and it most certainly was.
The Digging Begins
Armed with a basic shovel, the process began. At first, he started with a hole about two feet deep. He instantly noticed that the soil was damp, largely as it had been a wet couple of days in the area. The damp soil did make it slightly easier to gain some traction in his digging efforts.
The First Of Many Discoveries
As with many hobbyists, this kind of work involves a little bit of skill and a lot of luck. Having dug here before in the past, he knew there were some coins in the area, none of which had a particularly large value.
The First Of Many Discoveries
As fate would have it, the first discovery he made was just what he was anticipating: a coin. His heart sinking slightly, it was only once he had rubbed off the dirt, did he start to get excited again. This was unlike any of the coins he had found in this area before. In fact, he didn’t recognise the coin at all.
Motivation To Keep Going
On second glance, he wondered whether the artefact he had stumbled onto was a coin at all. It held a similar shape, but it had very uncommon engravings, along with what looked like a code or message. Mike could not make out exactly what it was, even after a few minutes of trying to figure it out.
Motivation To Keep Going
Strangely enough, the coin had what looked to be a ring attached to it too. This led to speculation that it may have at some point been attached to a chain of sorts. Deciding to refocus his attention, he knew that the hard work wasn’t over, and he got to digging into the muddy soil once again.
Stuck In Place
It wasn’t long before something else caught his attention. Continuing to dig, Mike even used his hands to try and get a grip on the strange item, which was starting to poke out from beneath the ground and leaving him altogether perplexed at first glance.
Stuck In Place
This peculiar item was not budging at all, no matter how much elbow grease he was putting towards getting it out of the ground. Not one to bow down to a challenge, Mike continued to try and get this immobile piece from out of the ground.
A Concerted Effort
As time wore on, and Mike kept digging, his determination kept him going. The item looked relatively light, with the same sheen expected on a piece of metal. He wondered whether this strange item had anything to do with the “coin” he had just gotten his hands on.
A Concerted Effort
It took all his energy to try and figure out what this second item was. Trying everything he could, he even wondered whether the ground was fighting back, not wanting him to uncover its secrets. Regardless, all would be revealed soon enough.
More Objects in the Mix
At some point in the digging process, Mike realized that the item he was trying to retrieve was attached to something else. This was why it had been so difficult to get it to budge from its current position. Naturally, this added to his curiosity and drive to get to the bottom of things.
More Objects In The Mix
Little did he know at that time, that his discovery on that particular day would be something that would change his life forever. The earth had some treasures to share, and Mike was going to be at the forefront of bringing these to his fellow human beings.
Links To a Chain
As time wore on, Mike’s discipline and willpower were tested, but he didn’t give up in his digging efforts. Eventually, he discovered a tiny circle, followed by second, and then a third. With all the cogs of his brain starting to work together, he realized what was going on.
Links To A Chain
These circles were in fact links to a chain, meaning that whatever was under the surface of the early was substantially larger than he may have initially thought. This was certainly not your everyday dig for a metal detector hobbyist. Mike was onto something truly special.
A Looming Sunset
What was supposed to be a short gander across the field with his metal detector had turned into hours of digging for Mike. Hours into his efforts, it seemed as if the chains he was coming across would never end.
A Looming Sunset
During all this time, he remained curious as to what these chains may be linked to. As the sun started to set on the horizon, Mike realised he had to call it a day, vowing to come back early the next morning to carry on untangling whatever was underground.
Sleep and Sinister Thoughts
Preparing dinner that night, Mike recalled a recent article discussing burial chambers that had been discovered in Pembrokeshire. He pondered whether his discovery was somehow linked to this, especially as he had been digging through an unusual amount of chains.
Sleep And Sinister Thoughts
Naturally, he wondered whether he might stumble onto something sinister. Questions plagued him while in bed that night, and his dreams went backwards and forwards with the idea of what he may come across at dawn the next day.
The Crack of Dawn
Not one to waste any time, Time was up and ready to go at the first sight of daylight, heading straight for the spot he had been digging the previous day. He felt like he had been sent on a mission to find out what the chains were attached to, and he hoped that this day would reveal all its secrets.
The Crack Of Dawn
Returning to the site, he took a closer look at the surrounding land, pondering just how massive this discovery was going to be. Little did he know that other parties would be interested in his findings sooner, rather than later.
A Crack in the Foundation
Mike picked up right where he left off, digging vigorously around the chains in a bid to free them from the earth. At one point, his mind lingered a bit and he caught himself daydreaming about discovering old treasure at the end of his search.
A Crack in the Foundation
After snapping back to reality, he realized that he had dug to a point where there was now a large hole beneath the chain. He stuck his shovel through without too much thought, forgetting to consider that the ground would in all likelihood open out from underneath him after doing so.
Taking a Tumble
It would be a split second before Mike realized he was falling, taking a tumble of more than seven feet and thankfully landing in a way that left him frightened but uninjured. To his credit, he was prepared for all possible outcomes and was carrying his backpack throughout the entire dig. This meant that he had a flashlight with him once he recovered from the shock fall.
Taking A Tumble
Looking around, it wasn’t long before Mike realized that he had stumbled onto something out of the ordinary. What was just a hole a couple of seconds ago, had now turned into a chamber? Looking at the walls, his jaw dropped right to the ground at what he was seeing.
Noteworthy Engravings
The walls were covered with odd engravings that had been carved into a majority of the surfaces within the chamber. As he peeked around, astounded by what he was witnessing, he had a lingering suspicion that some of the markings were vaguely familiar.
Noteworthy Engravings
Getting himself as close as possible to where they were clearly visible, he noticed that there were some markings which looked similar to two “V’s” connected to each other. In fact, this type of marking could be visible across the walls of the entire space.
A Spirit of Adventure
While the chamber contained “VV” symbols all over, Mike noticed that some of them had been very hastily carved into the stone, perhaps even by someone with trembling hands, or someone in a rush.
A Spirit Of Adventure
Not someone to let his curiosity deter him, rather than trying to find a way out, he continued deeper into the space to see what else he could find. The markings would lead him to another entry point that he wasn’t aware of before. Right at the base of the entrance, Mike spotted something interesting in the mud.
The Mysterious Brown Object
While Mike had certainly found himself in some odd places as a result of his passion for metal detecting, this had to be one of the strangest places he had ever been. Never did he think he would make a discovery of such a nature that would surprise even the greatest of disbelievers in his time consuming hobby.
The Mysterious Brown Object
Putting his hands on the brown, hard item found in the mud, he was convinced that he knew what he had discovered. Initially, he didn’t want to believe it was true, but all was to be revealed within the space of just a couple of minutes.
Human Remains
While Mike knew that the day was bound to lead to some interesting discoveries, he couldn’t have fathomed that he would happen upon actual human remains. Brushing down the hard, brown item, he quickly realized that it was none other than a human tooth.
Human Remains
Instantly, Mike pondered whether he was on the verge of discovering a full skeleton. Racking his brain, he began to think of all the reasons why human remains may have ended up here in the first place, some of which more malicious than others.
A Call For Help
Rather than continuing the search on his own, Mike knew that he now had to get the authorities involved, especially as there may be more remains to be discovered down here. At the same time, he had fallen quite deeply into the hole, and would in all likelihood need some assistance to get out.
A Call For Help
Thankfully, his cellphone was able to pick up reception near the clearing. His first call was to the National Museum of Wales, who didn’t want to entertain the fact that he may have stumbled onto something of importance. Struggling to be taken seriously, he persisted, to some avail in the end.
A Change in Tone
Recalling the initial discussion with the museum, Mike mentions that their archaeologists had already searched that particular area, with little to no success in finding anything. He mentions knowing that he had a “fight on his hands” to try and get all the information he had across.
A Change In Tone
As soon as he mentioned the chains and the engravings within the chamber, the officials seemed to take a different tone to the situation. Could this metal detector enthusiast have stumbled onto something incredible after all?
A United Rescue Effort
Mike was so excited about what he may have stumbled upon, that he almost forgot to let the authorities know that he was in fact still trapped in the chamber. He mentioned this towards the end of the conversation with an official, who promised that they would bring a rescue party with. He recalls the moment they all arrived mostly for their awestruck expressions.
A United Rescue Effort
Glad to be rescued and for the next phase of this interesting story to continue, once Mike was safely back on ground, the museum team started their excavation to find out exactly what else was lurking beneath the surface.
More Exceptional Discoveries
Just four months after Mike’s tumble into the unknown chamber, the authorities had turned the location into a fully fledged excavation site. During the course of this time, archaeologists scoured the area and one by one, more artefacts were being discovered. It wasn’t long before a massive breakthrough, in the form of two old chariot wheels.
More Exceptional Discoveries
For Mike, this was an incredible feat. Little did he know that his quiet venture back in February would result in discoveries that would have the entire archeology community, as well as other metal detector enthusiasts, curiously following developments as they occurred.
The End of the Chain
A big part of Mike’s initial search involved digging up parts of a long chain, and even though he couldn’t put the pieces together on his own, with the help of the authorities more information started to be revealed.
The End Of The Chain
Astonishingly, he was told that his first find was a rare Celtic horse harness junction piece. This meant that an ordinary morning of metal detecting had actually turned into a part of history. While at first people were slow to believe him, over time his role and the importance of his findings would be made public by all parties involved.
The Truth Behind The Markings
As you’ll recall, Mike spotted a lot of carvings in the shape of “VV” when he first started exploring the site he fell into. While the markings looked familiar, an expert was needed to clarify exactly what they meant. Rachel Hall, an archaeologist specialising in these kinds of engravings, revealed that the symbol was commonly used to keep witches out of a sacred space.
The Truth Behind The Markings
The carvings are formally called Marian marks, as they represent the initials of the Virgin Mary and for early dwellers they would have been a form of protection. These specific markings, however, had been etched in somewhat of a rush, or so it seemed. This made them even more unique, peaking the interest of everyone involved in the excavation.
Have Things Taken a Sinister Turn?
The on site archaeologists believe that they may have discovered what was typically considered the “entrance to the underworld” in 1300’s England. These types of marking were common for the five centuries that followed, where locals felt they had to protect themselves from supernatural forces.
Have Things Taken A Sinister Turn
It was easy for Mike to agree with these deductions, but as it turns out, the symbols were going to reveal more in due course.
A New Theory Emerges
Any good theory will have a plausible counter-argument, and the meaning of “VV” came in question when the authorities envisioned a new hypothesis.
A New Theory Emerges
Throughout the 1300’s, Pembrokeshire was facing a lot of hardship through the rapid spread of disease, widespread poverty and even famine. A retired professor of theology suggested that the symbols had engulfed the residents of the town, subsequently giving the chamber an air of fear and superstition in the process.
Learning More About Olden Day Traditions
As it turns out, the chariot that was excavated had been there for around 2500 years. While Mike believed that this timespan would increase the likelihood of finding human remains there too, it didn’t turn out to be the case.
Learning More About Olden Day Traditions
Experts suggest that there is a likelihood that the chief or queen did end up getting buried with their chariot in the chamber. This was a customary part of the times, especially for people in power. There was however something off with the positioning of the chamber, leading to alternative theories.
The Chariot Positioning Reveals All
While Mike had been certain that the tooth he discovered was human, as it turns out, it belonged to one of the horses that had been pulling the chariot. During the 14th century, it was not altogether uncommon for people of prominence to be buried with their prized possessions, albeit that it may be something that is frowned upon today.
The Chariot Positioning Reveals All
Here’s the tricky part for the experts to understand: in a customary burial, the wheels would have been flat on the ground, which was not the case here. The wheels were perpendicular to the ground, which became a big head-scratcher for the archaeologists on site.
Machinery To The Rescue
It was a small miracle that Mike and his Metal Detector had discovered as much as they did on his two trips to the site. Once a bigger team was brought in, and in the months to follow, heavy machinery would be used to delicately excavate whatever secrets the ground had been hiding all those centuries.
Machinery To The Rescue
It didn’t take long for archaeologists to completely close the area to public viewing, and equipped with state of the art technology like sonar and other radars, it was now possible for the team to scope the area in a multitude of ways, yielding positive results over time.
Clarity About Mike’s Discovery
While there was some evidence that suggested Mike had stumbled onto a tomb, it was more accurate to assume that he had fallen into an ancient Celtic settlement on that fateful day in February.
Clarity About Mikes Discovery
A ditch ring had been discovered once the heavy machinery had been brought in, coming in at about 12 meters wide. Further investigation showcases that there were two more of similar size. This led to the discovery of two more supposed burial sites, which were quickly scoped and searched for any remains.
Keeping Track of all the Discoveries
In his short time on site, Mike had found ancient symbols, burials, ditch rings and an ancient Celtic village. He was invited to assist archaeologists as they scoped the area, which yielded even more positive results. He ended up discovering bronze pieces, tools, a brooch and more.
Keeping Track Of All The Discoveries
Talking to reporters, he recalled that it was one of the most interesting things to ever happen in his life. Calling it surreal and life altering, he was not aware that there were still a couple of twists and turns around the corner in this gigantic search.
Expanding The Project
While initially the National Museum of Wales showed little interest in entertaining the idea that one man had stumbled onto an ancient site, by the time the search was underway they no longer needed convincing. The project grew to such a size, in fact, that they had to get additional funding just to be able to do a thorough enough search of such a large landscape to begin with.
Expanding The Project
The lead curator at the museum, Adam Gwilt, even went so far as to calling Mike’s discovery one of the greatest historical events of the time. The artefacts were more than just keepsakes. They showcased how Iron Age people lived, and revealed how they were going about their business relative to the all powerful Roman Empire.
Mike Gets a Payday And a Half
For Mike, going around with his metal detector was a hobby that he enjoyed over and above the financial returns it may yield. Unbeknownst to him, even after making the discovery, this particular discovery was going to set him up for the rest of his life. Mike earned somewhere in the region of six and seven figures for the discovery, which had to be split with the landowners.
Mike Gets A Payday And A Half
This had been one of the biggest discoveries ever by a metal detector enthusiast. For many, their hobby yields nothing more than scrap metal and a coin here and there. For Mike, it had historical significance, made him a rich man, and changed his life in one foul swoop. Life never ceases to surprise!