Museum officials are trying to track down the person who sent the ancient ax heads, which date to between 2150 and 2000 B.C.E.
National Museum of IrelandThe ax heads in a repurposed snack food box.
In late June 2024, the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin received an anonymous package containing two ancient ax heads. The museum authenticated the artifacts and determined they date back to the Early Bronze Age, between 2150 and 2000 B.C.E.
Now, museum officials are asking the sender to come forward with information about where the ax heads were discovered, which could reveal more about the people who created them.
The National Museum Of Ireland Receives A Surprising Package
At the end of June, the National Museum of Ireland received a mysterious package in the mail. Inside a cardboard snack food box, workers discovered two Bronze Age flat ax heads protected by foam.
Alongside the ax heads was an anonymous note explaining the origin of the ancient artifacts. The writer detailed how they found the ax heads with a metal detector in County Westmeath, about an hour west of Dublin. The sender also noted that they sent the relics to the museum to be properly preserved.
Mike Searle/Wikimedia CommonsThe ruins of a castle in County Westmeath, Ireland, the region where the Bronze Age ax heads were uncovered.
“These fascinating artifacts were accompanied by a letter stating that they were discovered in the Westmeath area using a metal detector. The sender expressed a desire for the axeheads to be conserved by the Museum but did not provide any contact details or further specifics,” the National Museum of Ireland wrote in a statement.
After inspecting the ax heads, the museum confirmed that they were from the Early Bronze Age, roughly 4,000 years ago, between 2150 and 2000 B.C.E.
Now, the hunt is on for the anonymous sender to find out more information about when and where these artifacts were found.
The Significance Of The Bronze Age Ax Heads
While the museum appreciates the donation of the ax heads, they still wish to identify the sender to uncover further information about the ancient relics.
“We are thrilled about the discovery of these Early Bronze Age axeheads,” Matt Seaver, Assistant Keeper of Irish Antiquities at the museum, stated in the press release. “But to truly understand their significance, we need to know where they were found.”
Finding the discovery site would allow researchers to examine the area for signs of early settlements and places of spiritual importance. “Hoards or collections of objects were often deliberately placed in specific locations for reasons that could range from ritualistic to supernatural,” the museum wrote.
The museum has stated publicly that any information about the sender’s identity will remain confidential if he or she comes forward.
However, Irish law prohibits searching for archaeological treasures with a metal detector without a permit to protect the country’s cultural heritage. Those caught breaking this law could face fines of up to $68,000 and possible prison sentences. This may explain why the sender wished to send the ax heads to the museum anonymously — and why it will likely be difficult for officials to locate the responsible party.
Regardless, the museum’s search continues.
“It is our legal duty to report the discovery of archaeological objects,” Seaver said. “The National Museum of Ireland’s role is to preserve these treasures for everyone in the State, ensuring they are available for future generations. We rely on the public’s support to achieve this.”
After reading about the mysterious Bronze Age ax heads sent to a museum in Ireland, dive into the true story of Ted Kaczynski, the “Unabomber” who mailed homemade explosive devices across the United States in the 1990s. Then, read about 25 unexplained mysteries from around the world.
