AN EXCITING discovery originally thought to be some kind of dagger looks today to have just been a broken piece of iron bar.Kira and Aaron Wyner had at first thought they had uncovered a dagger and scabbard when they were out crabbing in Harkstead bay last month.

AN EXCITING discovery originally thought to be some kind of dagger looks today to have just been a broken piece of iron bar.

Kira and Aaron Wyner had at first thought they had uncovered a dagger and scabbard when they were out crabbing in Harkstead bay last month.

But archaeologist Jude Plouviez, of the Suffolk County Council archaeology department, disappointingly said it was more likely to be a bar used for mooring a boat.

She said: “The part of the find which you thought was the scabbard is in fact just the corrosion of the other item. It has broken away and does look like a holder for it but that is just because it used to be attached.

“It is made of iron and as it corrodes it sticks to pebbles in the sea. The reason the other item seems sharp is because it has broken.”

The Wyner family, of Hurricane Place, had been so excited by their find that they have bought a metal detector and gone back to Harkstead where the original find was made.

There they have uncovered bits of pottery, glass and bone which helped to place a date on the iron item.

Ms Plouviez added: “Everything else found would suggest it dates back to the early 20th century or perhaps the end of the 19th century.

“But as to what it actually is - that remains a mystery. The most likely idea is that it is a bar used for mooring or the joining of a boat.”

Thirteen-year-old Aaron explained how he found the item.

He said: “We had gone there to go crabbing and were standing in water that was probably about a foot deep when I saw something metal in the mud.

“I went to pick it up, because I always investigate things like that, and realised what I thought was a blade inside.”

Kira, 11, admitted she was disappointed it was not a vintage weapon they had uncovered.

She said: “I was really excited when I thought it was a dagger so it is a bit of a disappointment to found out otherwise.

“I also thought we would have definite answers today and am amazed that what it is still hasn't been uncovered.”

Mark Wyner, Kira and Aaron's dad, said: “I had tried to remain impartial to what it might be to avoid any disappointment.

“However I am happy we found it even if it isn't the find of the century. It has unearthed a new hobby for the family and we are very excited about that.”

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