Friday, 15th July 2005 (4454 views)

The largest gold object ever found in Wales is to be exhibited in the north-east of the country for the first time since its discovery in 1833.

The priceless 4,000-year-old Bronze Age Mold Cape is to go on show in Wrexham from September.

Regarded by many as one of the finest pieces of Bronze Age craftsmanship, the cape has been carefully restored by the British Museum after it was uncovered by stone quarry workmen.

Welsh culture minister Alun Pugh explained there had been a long hard fight to bring the artefact back to North Wales and added: "The Mold Cape is a unique treasure and one of the finest examples of Bronze Age gold work in existence."

Mr Pugh added: "I am sure there will be no shortage of visitors eager to see this fascinating piece of Wales' prehistoric past."

The cape was found inside a Bronze Age burial mound together with the remains of a skeleton and some amber beads.

It was unearthed at a quarry field named Bryn Yr Ellyllon, not far from what is now Mold Rugby Club's ground in 1833.

The cape, which historians believe may have been worn during religious ceremonies, is made from the equivalent of 28-carat gold and weighs just one kilogram.

It will form the centrepiece of the 'Re-creations: Visualising our Past' exhibition which runs from September 26th until December 17th.

 

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