Three-Year-Old Uncovers $4 Million Artifact with Metal Detector

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Metal detecting attracts enthusiasts with the tantalizing possibility of uncovering ancient treasures. From Bronze Age axes in England to Roman-era artifacts, these discoveries have captivated both amateur and professional historians.

In 2010, three-year-old James Hyatt experienced his first metal detecting adventure with his father, Jason. “The metal detector went beep beep beep,” James recalled. When the device signaled a strong response, they began digging and soon glimpsed a flash of goldthe discovery of a lifetime.

The medieval pendant emerged eight inches beneath the surface, revealing intricate details upon careful excavation. Experts identified an image of the Virgin Mary with a cross, along with design elements symbolizing Christ’s woundshallmarks of late medieval religious devotion.

Though the locket’s back mechanism no longer functioned, its historical significance was immediately apparent. Following British protocol, the Hyatts reported their find to the British Museum for authentication. Experts confirmed the artifact’s period accuracy, with the museum noting that “devotion to the blood and wounds of Christ was one of the hallmarks of late medieval piety.”

Weighing nearly nine grams and composed of approximately three-quarters solid gold, the relic was valued at $4 million. Conservationist Marilyn Hockey later opened the locket, discovering only some flax fibers likely native to the area.

The pendant now resides in the British Museum’s medieval gallery. Under local law, any potential sale would split proceeds between the Hyatts and the property ownera fitting reward for what might be the most extraordinary instance of beginner’s luck in metal detecting history.

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