AN OSWESTRY man who found a Neolithic 5,000-year-old leaf-shaped arrowhead 50 years ago is now donating it to Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery.

Philip Jones of Oswestry stumbled upon the artefact while camping at the Oswestry Racecourse.

Intrigued by his discovery at the time, he reached out to local archaeologist Lily Chitty to learn more.

Philip was informed that he had found a 5,000-year-old leaf-shaped arrowhead, representing evidence that early farmers had settled in the area during the Neolithic period.

On July 24, Philip brought the arrowhead to the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, which has a prehistoric gallery.

His hope is that in its new home, the arrowhead will spark interest among young people about local archaeology and history.

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​Emma-Kate Lanyon, the curator, expressed her excitement about the find, mentioning that it is of great interest to them for various reasons.

 

She said: “It’s a lovely find. It’s of real interest to us for a number of reasons.

“We have recently been awarded a grant by the British Museum to research the work of Lily Chitty and the prehistoric flints she identified and recorded.

“This project is a first step towards a new prehistoric gallery at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, and this would definitely be an object we would like to include.”

The Neolithic period marked a transition to a more settled lifestyle, with farming replacing hunting and gathering.

During this era, knapping tools became an artisan trade, likely carried out by specialists in the community.

Border Counties Advertizer: The Neolithic 50000-year-old leaf-shaped arrowhead The Neolithic 50000-year-old leaf-shaped arrowhead (Image: Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery)

Katie Miller, the collections project officer, expressed amazement at the thin and delicate nature of some of these leaf-shaped arrowheads.

She added: “The Neolithic period saw a move towards a more settled way of life, with farming replacing hunting and gathering.

"It also saw knapping tools become an artisan trade, probably carried out by specialists in the community.

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“It's amazing how incredibly thin and delicate some of these leaf-shaped arrowheads are."

Philip's donation holds historical significance and adds to the understanding of the region's ancient past.

By sharing his find with the museum, he has contributed to the preservation and celebration of local heritage, hoping to inspire future generations to take an interest in archaeology and history.