A metal detectorist has announced the discovery of a second Bronze Age hoard in the Scottish Borders. Mariusz Stepien found the artefacts, dubbed the Blyth Hoard, in 2022, seven miles from where he discovered the Peebles Hoard in 2020.
The Blyth Hoard dates from the Late Bronze Age, between 1150BC to 850BC. It features two bronze axe-heads, clay moulds, and a complete copper ingot, which is reportedly the first of its kind found in Scotland. Excavations by archaeologists also uncovered an ancient stone cairn.
The hoard has been moved to the National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh for conservation and analysis. Experts hope that analysing the ingot may help identify the geographical source of the metals used in both the Blyth and Peebles hoards.