CHRIS BAYSTON certainly hit the metal detector enthusiast’s jackpot with his find in a field in West Hanney – and has opened up a potentially rich new chapter in our county’s history.
Mr Bayston and friends were using metal detectors at the weekend when he discovered a skull and a brooch, which was covered in gold and studded with garnets and coral.
The experts believe it may point to a Saxon royal burial site dating from the early sixth century.
If that is so then Mr Bayston has literally struck historical gold.
Frideswide, the daughter of the 8th century King Didan is the patron saint of Oxford, while Alfred the Great was born in Wantage in 849 – and the weekend find will add to our knowledge of our rich past.
Weekend wanderers such as Mr Bayston go out in hope rather than expectation of such a find and he is right when he says it is a dream come true. Not only for him but also the rest of his group and county historians, we expect.
If this brooch and remains turn out to be what is initially expected, then we will fill in another jigsaw piece in Oxfordshire’s ancient history and can thank Mr Bayston for that.
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