Amateur divers from Northamptonshire have presented their latest ground-breaking findings to an international conference.
The group of underwater enthusiasts, who are all part of the South West Maritime Archaeological Group, have discovered three shipwrecks off the coast of Devon, all believed to date back to the Bronze Age.
Their latest findings have already been hailed as vitally important by experts as they shed light on two different periods from that era. They have also proved that trade with Europe can be dated back to the period.
The discoveries included a large collection of tin and copper and a sword, all dating back almost 3,000 years.
Jim Tyson, an engineer from Northamptonshire and a diver with more than 30 years experience, presented the finding to the 28th International Shipwreck Conference, held in Plymouth last Saturday.
Speaking to the Chronicle & Echo about the latest finds, Jim said: “Now we actually have found two different time frames from the Bronze Age.
“The first one was from around 1300 to 1150 BC, which is what we call Middle Bronze Age. They were the first ones we found.
“The second findings were from 950 to 850BC, late Bronze Age.
“They are some of the most significant findings and evidence of trading between Europe and Britain at the time.
“One of the items we found has been traced back to Sicily so it proves they were trading with each other at the time.”
The artefacts are all being collected by the British Museum for further examination this week.
The group, which meets in Northampton every Thursday night, has worked on the Salcombe Cannon Site for the past 15 years following the initial discovery of gold coins and ingots in 1995.
Since then, the site has yielded the largest collection of 16th and 17th Century Moroccan gold in Europe as well as Bronze Age artefacts from the Penard Period.
The local members of the group include Mick Palmer, Mick Kightley, Dave Dunkley and Chris Yates, all from Northampton.
Jim added: “Northampton has a long, long history of diving success.
“We are an island nation and a lot of history is still in the sea.
“It is wonderful that we are actually bringing alive history from the sea.
“We bring it alive and show people and try to help us realise more about our background.”
More details about the team and the finds made in Devon can be found on their website http://www.swmag.org.
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Divers-find-ship-relics-from.6073946.jp
