Exceptionally Rare Discovery: 12-Year-Old Boy Walking Dog Finds 2,000-Year-Old Roman Gold Bracelet

An unexpected discovery unfolded when a 12-year-old boy from the UK stumbled upon a remarkable find while walking his dog in a field in the Pagham region of England.

Rowan Brannan, accompanied by his mother, Amanda, 44, came across a rare gold Roman bracelet dating back 2,000 years.

Amanda described Rowan as always being drawn to finding various odds and ends, displaying a keen sense of adventure by frequently picking up items from the ground.

Despite her typical warnings to "Put it down, it’s dirty," Rowan persisted in holding onto a piece of metal, convinced it was genuine gold, the New York Post reported.

Initially dismissing it as possibly just a piece of fencing strapping due to its grimy appearance, Amanda was taken aback by Rowan's insistence.

Upon returning home to Bognor, Sussex, Rowan embarked on researching how to determine the authenticity of the bracelet.

To their surprise, it passed all the tests indicating it was indeed real gold. However, it wasn't until a chance encounter with their hairdresser that they realized the significance of Rowan's find.

During a visit, the hairdresser mentioned spending the day metal detecting, prompting Rowan to share the story of his discovery. Intrigued, the hairdresser took a photo of the bracelet and consulted with a leader of metal-detecting sessions, who recognized its potential antiquity.

Advised to contact a Finds Liaison Officer associated with the British Museum's program for recording archaeological discoveries made by the public, the Brannans began the process of verifying the find.

Transporting the bracelet to Horsham, where it became the property of the Crown during assessment, the family eagerly awaited updates on its status.

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Revealed to be a first-century Roman armilla bracelet — a token of respect, valor and service bestowed upon Roman soldiers — the significance of the find was not lost on them.

Through the valuation process, it became evident that Rowan's discovery was exceptionally rare, particularly considering it was uncovered during a routine dog walk.

Amanda expressed her excitement at being involved in the ongoing journey of the bracelet's story, reflecting on the awe of imagining its previous wearer and the historical significance it holds. In their household, they now cherish not just an artifact but a tangible piece of history.