A PREHISTORIC tool and a coin dating back one thousand years were among the finds unearthed by Dorset treasure hunters.
Dozens of people packed out Poole Museum's archaeological finds day, launched as part of the national Museum and Galleries Month.
Visitors brought in relics to be examined by Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen, one of Dorset County Council's portable antiquities team.
The silver coin, from the reign of Ethelred II, King of England from 978 to 1013, then 1014 to 1016, was found on Bournemouth beach.
The prehistoric flint scraper was discovered by an amateur archaeologist at Hengistbury Head.
Mrs Hayward Trevarthen said: "I had 54 people come in with a range of finds, from the prehistoric tool to pottery fragments.
"We get a wide range of people coming in, from those who have found items in their back gardens by chance, to those who scour local beaches."
The finds day was just one in a series of events planned to mark museum month.
Today, the fifth floor of Poole Museum will be transformed into a mini cinema for the Museum at Night event, and throughout this month young people are being encouraged to try their hand at archaeological illustration.
Museum service and operations manager David Watkins said: "We are delighted to be holding these events and hope it will encourage more people to come and enjoy the museum's new galleries, displays and facilities."
Another archaeological finds day, in which the public can have finds assessed, will be hosted at Wareham Library on May 24 (9am-12pm).
7:00pm Thursday 15th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Lesley Dedman, Ferndown on 8:22am Fri 16 May 08
As you mention in the piece, King Ethelred reigned for an amazing 38 years - (with one years exile)- much longer than most other rulers in any time - so must have been doing something right! And wasn't his a time when he would have been put very forcibly aside if he was hopeless? So why do we only remember his facile nickname -Unready - can't someone work for his rehabilitation in our History Books? Or have they already?
As you mention in the piece, King Ethelred reigned for an amazing 38 years - (with one years exile)- much longer than most other rulers in any time - so must have been doing something right! And wasn't his a time when he would have been put very forcibly aside if he was hopeless? So why do we only remember his facile nickname -Unready - can't someone work for his rehabilitation in our History Books? Or have they already?
Posted by: nickg, canford heath on 10:41am Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]Lesley Dedman[/bold] wrote:
As you mention in the piece, King Ethelred reigned for an amazing 38 years - (with one years exile)- much longer than most other rulers in any time - so must have been doing something right! And wasn't his a time when he would have been put very forcibly aside if he was hopeless? So why do we only remember his facile nickname -Unready - can't someone work for his rehabilitation in our History Books? Or have they already? [/quote] I'm afraid he didn't "do alright ",he was an awful king ! He lost the kingdon which had been built up by his great-great Grandfather Alfred, from Northumbria to Cornwall to the Danes. A sucession of Danish invasions led to Ethelreds decision to massacre all the Danes already living in England, including the sister of the King of Denmark, Sweyn Forkbeard. Sweyn led his armies through the North East area of Danelaw, picking up sympathy from the settled Danish inhabitants of previous migration and forced Ethelred into exile in Normandy.
His nickname, "The Unready" is actually taken from the old English word "Unred" which means ill-advised. It was a play on his actual name, which means "Noble counsel", i.e "the well-advised, ill-advised"
His name has been used to represent follish and incompetent behaviour ever since.
Lesley Dedman wrote:
As you mention in the piece, King Ethelred reigned for an amazing 38 years - (with one years exile)- much longer than most other rulers in any time - so must have been doing something right! And wasn't his a time when he would have been put very forcibly aside if he was hopeless? So why do we only remember his facile nickname -Unready - can't someone work for his rehabilitation in our History Books? Or have they already?
I'm afraid he didn't "do alright ",he was an awful king ! He lost the kingdon which had been built up by his great-great Grandfather Alfred, from Northumbria to Cornwall to the Danes. A sucession of Danish invasions led to Ethelreds decision to massacre all the Danes already living in England, including the sister of the King of Denmark, Sweyn Forkbeard. Sweyn led his armies through the North East area of Danelaw, picking up sympathy from the settled Danish inhabitants of previous migration and forced Ethelred into exile in Normandy.
His nickname, "The Unready" is actually taken from the old English word "Unred" which means ill-advised. It was a play on his actual name, which means "Noble counsel", i.e "the well-advised, ill-advised"
His name has been used to represent follish and incompetent behaviour ever since.
Posted by: canfordheath, Canford Heath on 12:57pm Fri 16 May 08
Not only did he lose his kingdom, he managed to drop his change from the deck chair attendant.
Not only did he lose his kingdom, he managed to drop his change from the deck chair attendant.
Posted by: Lesley Dedman, Ferndown on 1:45pm Fri 16 May 08
thanks, nickg, that is a really handy potted history - but it doesnt answer my queston - if he was as terrible as that - how come he had this 38 years at the top? Why wasnt he deposed and someone better put in his place?
thanks, nickg, that is a really handy potted history - but it doesnt answer my queston - if he was as terrible as that - how come he had this 38 years at the top? Why wasnt he deposed and someone better put in his place?
Posted by: Lesley Dedman, Ferndown on 1:49pm Fri 16 May 08
thanks nickg, thats a great potted history - but I still wonder how he managed to stay as king for 38 years - if he was such a nightmare, why was he not bumped off in favour of someone more competent?
thanks nickg, thats a great potted history - but I still wonder how he managed to stay as king for 38 years - if he was such a nightmare, why was he not bumped off in favour of someone more competent?
Posted by: nickg, canford heath on 2:43pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]canfordheath[/bold] wrote:
Not only did he lose his kingdom, he managed to drop his change from the deck chair attendant.[/quote] lol
canfordheath wrote:
Not only did he lose his kingdom, he managed to drop his change from the deck chair attendant.
lol
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