Roman pan found near Bury St Edmunds displayed at West Stow

Tom Hyett, a metal detector user, made the unusual discovery of the almost complete early Roman copper-alloy pan at a site near Bury St Edmunds at the start of the year.

The pan, which likely dates from the 1st century to the first half of 2nd century and may have been used for heating wine, is now on display at the nearby West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Museum.

Mr Hyett found the pan, which is about 30cm long and 8.6cm deep, buried in a small pit, cut into a Roman ditch, perhaps as an offering.

The Roman pan after micro-excavation (Image: Suffolk County Council)

He immediately contacted the Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service (SCCAS) who carefully excavated the pan and recorded the archaeological context.

It was then taken to the laboratory at Norfolk Museum Service Conservators, where the soil was removed and the pan conserved, ready for display.

The pan survives in three sections - the handle and rim, the remaining bowl wall and the base.

Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, said: "I’d like to thank Tom for quickly recognising the significance of his discovery and getting in touch with SCCAS, so that our team could excavate the pan, record it and help to preserve it.

"Tom’s actions mean that everyone can understand a little more about Suffolk’s history. His, and the landowner’s, generosity to donate this special object mean that we can all view it on display at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Museum.

"The council’s Archaeological Service, based in Bury St Edmunds, provides a fantastic public service, and truly are custodians of Suffolk’s past. They record much of the history excavated in our county, which often turns out to be of national and international importance."

Ian Shipp, cabinet member for leisure at West Suffolk Council, which runs the Anglo-Saxon Village and Museum, said: "We are delighted to receive this find to display among our artefacts at West Stow.

"We recognise the importance of our history and heritage. It’s part of our culture and contributes to our strategic priority for thriving communities by providing attractions and activities which residents and visitors alike can come along to learn from, understand and enjoy.

"As an avid metal detectorist myself I understand the importance of such historical finds and would echo the call to report them to the archaeology service so that they can be properly identified and recorded."

The excavation was funded by the National Council of Metal Detecting while the conservation work was paid for by the landowner, finder and the Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers National Lottery Heritage Fund funded project.

The discovery was recorded by the Suffolk Finds Recording Team, supported by the Portable Antiquities Scheme.