Bronze pendant dug at 18"...need help IDing

[Danimal]

This was recovered from very rocky compacted soil at a depth of 18". It was cleaned in a peroxide bath and lightly brushed with a brass brush. Encrustation was so bad no design was evicent at time of recovery. I think this is a very old piece. No cast lines anywhere, and signs of the design being carved into the surface.

Recovered in NE Ohio.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[OkieDigger]

Did you find it in a mound of dirt?

 

[Danimal]

not in a mound per se, but an area of a large athletic field that is slightly raised from the whole area, with harder more compacted soil. This area has produced most of the older coins and relics.
Like I said, this sucker was VERRRY deep. The ONLY reason I continued digging after 12" was because it STILL pinpointed as a small target, unline a ructy steel pipe, etc.

 

[FelixtheCat]

Very interesting find!  I hope you get some kind of ID on it.  You may want to try the archeology dept. of a local university when you can't figure it out.

 

[spittfire]

Now that is a cool find, hope you track down the origin soon. I am curious myself. Well done!

 

[b-boop]

I'm with OkieDigger. Sure looks like a very old indian artifact. What tribes were in Ohio?

 

[sctoddc]

Wow 18 inches....how big is it? Great find.

Todd

 

[Danimal]

It's about 2-1/2 " tall and about 2" wide at the base

The soil around the pendant had a deep greenish tint from the encrustation, and I attribute that to the brilliant "halo" that gave it such a strong signal.

Even now, airtesting, my machine hears it at 12"

 

[OZ_IL]

Looks like it has an African theme. Any ancient weapon experts out there recognize the double axe type image

 

[rcasi44]

So what machine were you using? 18"is very deep. Rob

 

[Jason]

From your description of the site it sounds like a burial mound often found here in Mississippi. I would contact the local college and who knows... you might have discovered a piece of a much larger site. Didn't find any pottery did you?

 

[mxtswinger]

By far the most unusual find I've ever seen. The images look European to me. I did some googling on double axes and the closest match I've found is the Minoan double axe. Here's a huge link

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...axe+&start=20&ndsp=20&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&sa=N

I think I would post it on some other treasure forums, especially in UK, and maybe you can find a collector's forum for that type thing.

Congrats on an Amazing find

P.S. Here's another link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labrys

 

[Saddletramp]

I believe its Crete, A MINOAN PRINCE
A relief of the "Prince with the lilies" or "Priest-King". He is wearing the Minoan cod-piece and has a superb crown of lillies and peacock's feathers on his head. He may have been leading some sacred animal with his left hand. 15th century B.C.

Definately a find worth checking into. Who knows it may be authentic.

 

[OkieDigger]

Stranger things have been found here in the US. There's no doubt in my mind that peoples from Europe and Africa have visited the American shores well before the Vikings. There's a really good book called America B.C. by Barry Fell. You should check it out.

 

[Danimal]

So what machine were you using? 18"is very deep. Rob

you wouldn't believe me if I told ya!

Garrett ACE250 with the larger 9x12 coil

Like I said, the dirt around the object was obviously "leeched into" and a large halo had been created.
And I kid you not, my arm was up to my elbow, with my Lesch extended down when it was loosened.
The item did NOT fall into the hole from the side at a shallower depth. I was VERY carefull and dug in incriments, chcking each time with my pinpointer. At one point I finally had the pinpointer vibrate at the BOTTOM of the hole, with undisturbed dirt on te hole's floor. When this dirt was chunked up, it was encased in a greenish clump.

 

[Danimal]

Thanks for all your replies.

It's obviously a Knossos "Prince of the Lilies" relief pendant, with a Labrys double sided axe, which was the Minoan symbol of female fertility.
It has been suggested on another site that this may be a "fantasy" pc, not an original, and even then may date back several hundred years.
My question now remains, just how old is this?
If a fantasy piece, who made it and what is it's value?
Is it authentic?
If authentic, how did it end up in NE Ohio?
The soil where it was found may NOT be original soil. There are indicators that it was fill soil brought in from a riverbed during the 1930s. Even THEN, I doubt the soil came from somewhere other than Ohio.
My research-time available is limited. I appreciate any and all help answering thse questions.

 

[OkieDigger]

Again, look at the book I was telling you about. Trust me, it's worth the read.

 

[Danimal]

Here's a closeup to help you see the natural color (which was changed due to the halogen light in the originals)

 

[mxtswinger]

With the patina gone, it will probably be much more difficult to date and authenticate, and normally will drastically reduce the value. That said, if it as old as it LOOKS its rarity could overcome condition issues.

It LOOKs extremely old and authentic, but I am far from an expert.

How did it get here? Many possibilities. A souvenir brought here by an American tourist, archaeologist, or govt emissary; a French colonist; a lost piece from a museum or private collection robbery; Brought here by a Greek or Cretan immigrant, or European collector who immigrated here.

If you haven't already, I would PM or email Brian in UK. He might know someone who can help.

I hope this turns out to be something that turns the archaeology clan upside down, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Get it into a safe deposit box asap, and keep it insured for as much as they will let you.

Best of luck to you
Kevin

 

[mxtswinger]

Much better pic. Thanks. How about the other side too?