2000 year-old spoon discovered on IOM used to 'tell the future'

Iron Age relic found by metal detectorist in Patrick

A 2000 year-old bronze spoon used for 'telling the future' has been discovered on the Isle of Man.

It dates back to the Iron Age, and is the first to have ever been found on the Island, with only 28 others known about worldwide.

It was found on private land in Patrick by metal detectorist Rob Middleton.

Dating to around 400-100 BC, the bronze spoons are usually found in pairs, and it's thought pouring liquid into the spoons would tell something about the future.

Allison Fox, Curator for Archaeology for Manx National Heritage said: "This bronze spoon is one of the most intriguing objects ever discovered on the Island.  

"Iron Age finds are relatively scarce, with bronze spoons dating to this period rare, making this find all the more remarkable.  

"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 spoon has a broad, strawberry-shaped bowl and a circular handle with spiral designs.

The bowl has two very lightly engraved lines forming a cross, with the lines meeting towards the deepest part of the spoon.  

Although the exact function of the spoon is unknown, the leading theory is that it was used in divination rituals as our ancestors sought to predict the future.  

Allison continued: "The spoons are usually found in pairs, and it has been suggested that liquid of some form would have been poured into the spoon which has the cross, and whatever quarter it landed in would tell something about the future. The details of such ceremonies have been lost in the midst of time."

The spoon has been donated to the Manx National Collections cared for by Manx National Heritage at the Manx Museum.

It will go on display at the House of Manannan from Friday (14 February).