The National Museum of Ireland has issued an appeal after it received several Bronze Age axheads from an anonymous donor at the end of June.
The axheads, which date back to around 2000 BC, were discovered in the Westmeath area using a metal detector, according to a letter accompanying the artifacts.
The sender said they wished for the axheads to be conserved but did not include any contact details, according to the NMI.
The museum added that the anonymous donor ensured that the axheads arrived safely by "thoughtfully" packing them in foam cut-outs and cardboard.
"Our experts at the NMI have identified these items as flat axeheads from the Early Bronze Age, a significant archaeological find that offers a glimpse into Ireland's distant past," the museum said in a statement.
However, the museum has appealed for information about the sender in order to know more about the discovery.
"To fully understand and appreciate these artifacts, it's crucial to know the exact location where they were found.
"The context of such discoveries helps archaeologists piece together ancient settlement patterns and cultural practices.
"For instance, hoards or collections of objects were often deliberately placed in specific locations for reasons that could range from ritualistic to supernatural.
"With this in mind, we are appealing to the person who sent these axeheads to reach out to us. Any information about their discovery will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely to verify the find location and its circumstances."
We are appealing to members of the public to provide information about 2 Early Bronze Age axeheads (2150-2000 BC) posted anonymously to the Museum in June. Found in Westmeath, their location is crucial for archaeological context.https://t.co/PywTU7YEwl pic.twitter.com/iY5LLcmjUC
— National Museum of Ireland (@NMIreland) July 12, 2024
Matt Seaver, Assistant Keeper of Irish Antiquities at the NMI, said the museum was "thrilled" to receive the axheads but said the museum needed to know more about the discovery to "truly" understand its significance.
RTÉ News reports that it is against the law to search for archaeological objects in Ireland using a metal detector and that people can be fined up to €63,486 and receive up to three months in jail.
"We also wish to remind everyone about the regulations surrounding the use of metal detectors for searching archaeological objects. Archaeological finds without a known owner are the property of the state and are preserved as part of our collective heritage in national and designated museums," Seaver said.
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