HOARDS of ancient artifacts dating back 3,000 years to the Bronze Age have been declared treasure by the Gwent coroner’s office on Thursday, August 18.

The two hoards of bronze tools and weapons were discovered on the same day in January 2015 in the community of Llantilio Crossenny, Monmouthshire.

The two discoveries were made in the same field, while a group of metal-detectorists were exploring farm land.

One hoard, discovered by Lee Doyle, Liam O’Keefe, David Owen and John Thomas, contained nine bronze socketed axes.

These may be dated to the Ewart Park phase of the Late Bronze Age, around 1000 to 800 BC or between 3,000 to 2,800 years ago.

The second smaller hoard, discovered by David Hughes, was found 135 metres away from the larger hoard.

It comprises two bronze socketed axes and a bronze spearhead, of the same age as the larger hoard.

Abergavenny Museum is keen to acquire these prehistoric finds for its collections following their independent valuation.

It hopes to acquire the hoards with grant support provided by the Saving Treasures; Telling Stories funded via the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Rachael Rogers, the museum’s curator, said: “We are really excited by these finds which contribute to the prehistoric story of the area.

“We look forward to them coming to Abergavenny Museum, so they can be cared for and enjoyed by our many visitors and users.

“The stories to be told from these objects will really help us to get a little closer to the people and communities who made and used them,” she said.