When Trevor Penny spotted the long, thin piece of metal on the banks of an English river last November, it resembled a scaffolding pole.
This find didn’t come as a shock to Mr. Penny, as his magnet fishing hobby has led him to discover various items, tools, and metal debris from the waterways near his Oxfordshire residence. (Magnet fishing involves attaching a strong magnet to a rope and tossing it into a body of water.)
However, on that particular day, he stumbled upon something more remarkable: a rusty Viking sword that had been resting there for over a millennium.
The sword, recovered from the River Cherwell and identified by an archaeological group that monitors public discoveries, likely dates back to a period between 850 A.D. and 975 A.D. Mr. Penny handed it over to the Oxfordshire Museums Service for restoration and eventual display.
Upon realizing his find, 52-year-old Mr. Penny reached out to a local official responsible for identifying public archaeological discoveries.
The discovery was described by Edward Caswell, who documents Oxfordshire finds for the Portable Antiquities Scheme run by the British Museum, as “one further puzzle piece that can shed light on our shared heritage.” More analysis was required, but experts confirmed that the sword aligned with others from the same era.
Jane Kershaw, an associate professor of archaeology at the University of Oxford, noted that Viking weapons, including swords, have been discovered in rivers in England. Approximately 70 such swords have been found in Britain, with explanations ranging from accidental drops to intentional offerings in waterways for protection or luck.
Dr. Kershaw remarked that the sword, although a rare find in the area, indicates Viking activity beyond the typical region for such discoveries.
Hobbyists like Mr. Penny are increasingly contributing to significant archaeological finds, emphasizing the importance of reporting their discoveries for preservation.
Ownership of found artifacts can be complicated, with classification as “treasure” determining rights. The Treasure Act in Britain requires reporting of metal objects over 300 years old within two weeks to authorities. Museums have the opportunity to claim objects, and finders may receive rewards if the object is deemed treasure.
Mr. Penny discovered the sword on land owned by the Canal & River Trust, which prohibits magnet fishing on its property. However, they agreed to transfer potential ownership rights to a local museum.
Since starting magnet fishing three years ago, Mr. Penny has uncovered various items, including old railway tools and a suspected World War II grenade that had to be safely detonated. He enjoys engaging with passersby and sharing his finds with a local magnet-fishing group.
Despite challenges, Mr. Penny intends to continue magnet fishing with the necessary permissions in place.
