A baffled metal detectorist has discovered a 2,000-year-old bronze spoon believed to have been used to tell the future.
It dates back to between 400 BC and 100 BC, was found by Rob Middleton on land owned by farmer David Anderson.
And although the exact function of the item is unknown, the principle theory is that it was used in divination rituals in a bid to predict the future.
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The spoon has a broad, strawberry-shaped bowl and a circular handle with spiral designs.
It has been suggested that liquid would have been poured into one of the spoons, which were usually found in pairs, with the quarter it landed in telling something about the future.
The item was found in Patrick on the Isle of Man and curator for archaeology for Manx National Heritage Alison Fox said it was one of the “most intriguing objects ever discovered on the island”.
She said Iron Age finds are “relatively scarce” but bronze spoons dating to the period that illustrate “potential prehistoric ritual activity” are “even more remarkable”.
It is the first of its kind to be uncovered on the Isle of Man, and while similar examples have been located in the UK, Ireland and France, it is one of only 28 worldwide.
Aptly named the Patrick-Middleton spoon, the item has been donated to the Manx National Collections and is set to go on display on Friday at the House of Manannan.
Ms Fox said: “Donations such as this really help us explore what our ancestors were up to, and this find in particular puts the Isle of Man firmly on the map of Iron Age ritual.
“Although it sounds rather plain because we call it a spoon, it really is an unusual find illustrating potential prehistoric ritual activity taking place on the Isle of Man.
“The details of such ceremonies have been lost in the midst of time.
“We are hugely grateful to both Rob and David for donating this very special find.
“Both have given other artefacts over the years to the Manx National Collections, and all are now available for further research.”
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