Unusual Religious Artifacts Discovered in British River
Recently, archaeologists stumbled upon a collection of intriguing religious items that had been deliberately tossed into the River Wear in Durham, UK. This unexpected find has sparked curiosity about the reasons behind their disposal.
Leading the discovery is Gary Bankhead from Durham University. He uncovered a variety of significant Christian artifacts, which included a bronze cross, a silver trowel, a baptismal spoon, a silver key, a 19th-century Russian icon depicting Jesus on the cross, and a 1964 silver medal featuring Christ surrounded by Byzantine Greek letters.
Along with these items, there were gold, silver, and bronze medals commemorating Vatican II, a Greek Orthodox gold crucifix pendant, and even a medal celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Interestingly, Bankhead associates this collection with Bishop Michael Ramsey, who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1961 to 1974 and later retired to Durham.
Bankhead mentioned that it’s “highly unusual” to find such a large assemblage of religious relics in a river, especially those linked to a figure like the Archbishop of Canterbury. In a career of diving in the River Wear for over “many years,” he has collected more than 14,500 artifacts overall, but the items connected to Ramsey felt like “instantly orphaned” treasures.
This trove was discovered two decades ago, and Bankhead has detailed the experience in his book, *Pilgrimage Souvenirs, Piety and Other Objects of Faith: Small Late Medieval and Modern Finds from the River Wear, Durham*. He notes that the way the items were deposited was striking; they weren’t randomly scattered but showed a deliberate placement under Prebens Bridge, a notable landmark.
The findings seemed to indicate that someone might have stood on the bridge and purposely dropped them into the water. As he spent the following two years analyzing the collection, a distinct pattern started to emerge.
It was revealed that Audrey Heaton, Ramsey’s housekeeper, had removed these relics under the instruction of the Bishop’s wife, Joan Ramsey. Bankhead indicated that this explanation gained credibility after he spoke with Heaton’s niece, who shared insights from her aunt’s diary. Heaton was reportedly upset about discarding items with historical and monetary value, which adds to the complexity of the situation.
Documents suggested that Joan Ramsey grouped the items into plastic bags, weighting them down to ensure they sank. However, the specific rationale behind this action remains ambiguous. Bankhead speculated that perhaps the items were too sensitive to be sold or given away.
According to Heaton’s niece, it was clear her aunt felt conflicted about the disposal of these religious items. She brought to light how much the decision pained Heaton, who kept reflecting on it during their interactions. The disposal itself was conducted in secret, often at times when few people would be around, emphasizing the weight of the task.
Bankhead has always maintained that his interest lies primarily in history, rather than financial gain. When the items were appraised, he donated his share to charity, believing that it wouldn’t be right to profit personally from the discovery.
Interestingly, the arrangement of the artifacts also hinted at thoughtful placement. Items from the Greek Orthodox tradition were found together, while those associated with the Vatican were clustered in a separate group, further emphasizing the care taken with their arrangement. Bankhead has never considered himself a typical “treasure hunter.” He highlighted that every artifact has its own unique history and craftsmanship.
This recent discovery connects to a broader historical pattern, as there have been instances in Britain where religious artifacts were deliberately disposed of in rivers. Bankhead noted that this act of choosing a river as a final resting place for something sacred seems to date back to medieval pilgrimages and surprisingly continued into the 20th century.
His book is available for those interested in exploring this fascinating blend of history and reverence further.
