Iron Age ritual spoon goes on display at museum

A 2,000-year-old bronze ritual spoon discovered by metal detectorist in the west of the Isle of Man has been put on display for the first time.

The object, which can been seen at the at the House of Manannan, is believed to have been used in ceremonies to tell the future.

Found by Rob Middleton on land in Patrick owned by farmer David Anderson, it has been donated to Manx National Heritage to be added to its collections.

Mr Middleton said: "With great finds come great responsibility, so that's why it's been donated to the public so they can connect with it."

On making the discovery, he said he had been "humbled" because "you are literally the first person in 2,000 years to handle it, to look at it and to appreciate the beauty" of it.

Known as the Patrick-Middleton spoon, it dates back to between 400 BC and 100 BC.

Similar examples have been located in the UK, Ireland and France, but it is the first of its kind to be uncovered on the island and is one of only 28 worldwide.

Usually found in pairs, it has a broad, strawberry-shaped bowl and a circular handle with spiral designs.

Curator of archaeology for Manx National Heritage Allison Fox said it had been suggested that liquid would have been poured into one of the spoons, with the quarter it landed in telling something about the future.

She said it was one of the "most intriguing objects ever discovered on the island" and was proof the island was not "isolated" at that time.

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.