The 27 inch blade has now been bought by Norwich Castle Museum for £38,970 and described as an item of "incredible importance"
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| Doorstop: A museum has spent £40,000 to put this Bronze Age ceremonial dagger |
A Bronze Age ceremonial dagger used as a DOORSTOP for 12 years has
been bought from a farmer by Norwich Castle Museum for £38,970.
The 27 inch blade is thought to be around 3,500 years old and is only the second of its kind found in the UK and the sixth in the whole of Europe.
It was ploughed up in a field in East Rudham, Norfolk in 2002 by a farmer but he was unaware of its "incredible importance".
The family left it unattended in their home in the village for more than a decade and even used it to prop open his office door.
The bronze treasure, known as the Rudham Dirk, even came close to being thrown in a skip before a friend said he should get it checked out by archaeologists.
Its historical significance became clear and it has now been put on display at Norwich Castle Museum.
Historians say similar dirks were found in France and Holland, suggesting people had travelled the channel to share the idea of a ritual dagger.
It was bought from the owner in a private deal for nearly £41,000, including a grant of £39,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology at Norwich Castle, said: "The farmer found it and took it into the house because it would get in the way of his machinery.
"He gave it a cursory brush and left it lying around his office as a doorstop. It is amazing that it has been used as a doorstep but there are an awful lot of similar objects that are found just lying around a house."
The dirk is believed to have only been used for ceremonial occasions.
The 27 inch blade is thought to be around 3,500 years old and is only the second of its kind found in the UK and the sixth in the whole of Europe.
It was ploughed up in a field in East Rudham, Norfolk in 2002 by a farmer but he was unaware of its "incredible importance".
The family left it unattended in their home in the village for more than a decade and even used it to prop open his office door.
The bronze treasure, known as the Rudham Dirk, even came close to being thrown in a skip before a friend said he should get it checked out by archaeologists.
Its historical significance became clear and it has now been put on display at Norwich Castle Museum.
Historians say similar dirks were found in France and Holland, suggesting people had travelled the channel to share the idea of a ritual dagger.
It was bought from the owner in a private deal for nearly £41,000, including a grant of £39,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology at Norwich Castle, said: "The farmer found it and took it into the house because it would get in the way of his machinery.
"He gave it a cursory brush and left it lying around his office as a doorstop. It is amazing that it has been used as a doorstep but there are an awful lot of similar objects that are found just lying around a house."
The dirk is believed to have only been used for ceremonial occasions.
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