A HISTORIC hoard that may date back to as early as 2500 BC has been discovered at a new Hampshire housing development.

The bronze age hoard has been found by a metal detector on land where regional housebuilder Persimmon Homes South Coast has built 120 new homes.

The find was declared treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996, was assessed by the British Museum and has been confirmed as a Middle Bronze Age ornament hoard.

It consists of two Liss arm rings, an unlooped palstave axe, a quoit-headed pin, a knife/razor fragment and a fragment of a spear tip.

But the find will now stay in the county thanks to a promise made between the housebuilder and a Hampshire charity.

Daily Echo:

Persimmon Homes South Coast has waived its ex-gratia award, enabling charity Hampshire Cultural Trust to keep the artefacts which were found at the Harbourside View development in Portchester.

The trust was established as an independent charity in 2014 to promote Hampshire’s outstanding cultural experiences.

It funds and manages 23 attractions, from museums to galleries to art centres, and cares for 2.5 million objects relating to Hampshire’s cultural heritage.

“This find gives a rare insight into prehistoric adornment and technology. We are delighted that we have been able to obtain it and are grateful to Persimmon Homes South Coast for waiving its ex-gratia reward,” said Ross Turle, curatorial liaison manager at the trust.

“The find is fascinating and we were particularly interested in the quoit pin. The bend in the end of the pin is believed to be damage from repeated use, possibly from being pushed through the fabric of a cloak.

"It seems to be an object particular to the southern part of England and may be an artefact purely of native origin."