Community helps acquire Iron Age hoard for Oxfordshire Museum
People in Oxfordshire and beyond have helped Oxfordshire County Council’s museum service successfully acquire an exceptional Iron Age hoard.
A successful fundraising campaign was run by the Friends of Oxfordshire Museum and raised £11,725 to enable the purchase of the collection.
The pieces include a horse brooch believed to be over 2,000 years old and is currently undergoing conservation.
Discovered five years ago in Rotherfield Peppard, near Henley, the hoard will eventually go on display at the council-run museum, which is free to visit. The display will feature 3D-printed objects, allowing visitors to experience what it is like to hold one of these rare artefacts.
Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “This hoard, buried nearly 2,000 years ago, really belongs to the people of Oxfordshire, so it’s fantastic to see the public rally around this campaign. Their support shows how important Oxfordshire’s heritage is to our residents and beyond the county.
“We look forward to seeing this very special hoard on display at the museum once it has been conserved. By acquiring the collection, it is safeguarded for the public forever.”
The treasures were found in a pottery urn, sealed by a quern stone. The contents included a stunning copper alloy and enamelled Iron Age horse brooch, an enamelled patera handle, a silver Roman coin, and a lead weight.
Such a hoard is classified as treasure under the Treasure Act for England and Wales. As the county’s repository for archaeological finds, the county council’s museum service was given the first opportunity to acquire it for Oxfordshire.
Chairman of the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum, Edward Dowler, said: “The Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum are pleased to have hosted the museum’s first crowdfunder campaign. We are very grateful to the 244 people who donated. In exceeding the fundraising target, the museum team will be able to deliver enhanced conservation and create an engaging display. We are all looking forward to seeing the end result.”
The campaign was also supported by academics Dr Rena McGuire, Dr Sophia Adams, Professor Gary Locke, and Dr Wendy Morrison who shared their expertise to help explain the hoard’s importance.
Donors who gave £20 and over will be invited to a special private viewing of the treasure. Those who gave over £200 will be named in our archive as supporters.
The Oxfordshire Museum cares for, safeguards, and makes accessible the heritage of the county. Its collections can be accessed through displays, a loans programme, and a digital catalogue, and can be used for research.
The Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum is a registered charity that supports the museum through fundraising and financial support for special events, acquisitions, and educational programmes.
Residents can find out more about the museum, upcoming events and exhibitions by visiting its website. Learn more about the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum and the benefits of becoming a Friend by visiting the Friends of the Oxfordshire Museum’s website.
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