Mystery over 4,000-year-old axe-heads sent to Irish museum

Two axe-heads, which are believed to be more than 4,000 years old, have been sent to the National Museum of Ireland by an anonymous letter writer.

Staff at the museum described them as a “significant archaeological find”.

They are now trying to trace the sender to find out more about the artefacts.

The letter stated that the axe-heads were discovered in County Westmeath using a metal detector.

A photo released by the museum appears to show the Bronze Age items packaged into a flapjack box.

Staff said the artefacts were “thoughtfully packed in foam cut-outs and cardboard, ensuring their safe arrival”.

They added the sender “expressed a desire for the axe-heads to be conserved by the museum” but said the letter did not provide any further specifics about their origin.

Staff have now appealed to the sender to contact them again, saying it is “crucial” that archaeological experts are informed of the the exact location of the find.

“We are thrilled about the discovery of these Early Bronze Age axe-heads,” said Matt Seaver, Assistant Keeper of Irish Antiquities at the museum.

But he added that to “truly understand their significance, we need to know where they were found”.

The museum explained that knowing the context of archaeological discoveries helps experts “piece together ancient settlement patterns and cultural practices”.