Image Source: Manx National Heritage via Live Science
A metal detectorist recently unearthed an antique bronze spoon on the Isle of Man. Some experts said the spoon may have served as an Iron Age shaman used to predict the future.
“Although it sounds rather plain because we call it a spoon, it really is an unusual find illustrating potential ritual activity taking place on the Isle of Man,” said Allison Fox, curator of archaeology at Manx National Heritage, the Isle of Man’s national heritage organization.
The strawberry-shaped spoon dates back to 400 to 1,000 B.C. It is the first of its kind discovered on the Isle of Man and one of 28 such spoons found in Europe.
To date, experts indicated they are unsure how the spoon may have been utilized as part of a ritual designed to tell the future. Some said this ritual may have involved using a spoon like the one found on the Isle of Man in conjunction with a bowl engraved with a cross at the bottom.
“It has been suggested that liquid of some form would have been poured into the spoon which has the cross, and whatever quarter it landed in would tell something about the future,” Fox noted.
The metal detectorist who found the spoon and the owner of the land where it was discovered have donated the artifact to Manx National Collections. It is currently displayed at the Isle of Man’s House of Manannan Museum.
Those who want to view more ancient bronze spoons can see over 500 such items in the WorthPoint Price Guide.
Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website.
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