A Roman Brooch for Hemsworth - be part of history

Wakefield Museums & Castles has the opportunity to acquire a rare Roman silver‑gilt brooch. It was discovered in Hemsworth and reported through the Treasure process.

Relatively little Roman finds have been found in the Hemsworth area. This makes this brooch particularly significant and special.

The ornate brooch dates from around AD 75 to 175. It is a rare and high‑quality example of Roman craftsmanship. Museum specialists have described it as a "highly ornate and a find of note". Although Roman brooches of this type are known from across Britain, examples made from gilded silver are far less common. They are typically made from copper alloy.

The brooch was made from silver and covered with a thin layer of gold. It was a striking and valuable object, designed to be seen. The brooch combines Roman design with decorative swirling motifs that recall Britain's earlier Celtic artistic traditions. The result is an object that is both visually striking and archaeologically significant.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, somebody in Roman Hemsworth lost this beautiful brooch. We do not know their name, or what happened. It may have fastened a cloak, marked status or displayed wealth. Perhaps it simply reflected the owner's taste and identity. What we do know is that the brooch remained hidden as Roman Britain ended. Kingdoms rose and fell. Pontefract and Sandal Castles were built. Industries transformed the landscape. Today, the brooch has re-emerged as one of the few surviving links to the Romans who once lived here. 

Roman finds from Castleford have helped us understand part of the district's ancient past for many years. Much less is known about Roman activity around Hemsworth. This brooch provides an important new piece of evidence.

The brooch spent almost 2,000 years beneath the fields of Hemsworth. We want future generations to be able to see it close to the place where its story began.

This remarkable object gives us a rare opportunity to connect with one of the people who lived, worked and travelled through the landscape we now call Hemsworth nearly 2,000 years ago.