A carefully crafted deception unfolded in the fields of Lincolnshire, culminating in a former Royal Navy serviceman receiving a suspended prison sentence. Jason Price fabricated a remarkable discovery – an 1,800-year-old Roman horse brooch – and profited handsomely from the lie.
Price initially claimed to have unearthed the copper-alloy brooch near Leasingham in 2019, during a charity event supporting veterans. He described finding it buried under eight inches of soil, a seemingly authentic tale that quickly gained traction within the historical community.
The “Leasingham horse brooch,” as it became known, was hailed as a significant archaeological find. It was prominently displayed at The Collection Museum in Lincoln and even featured on the popular Channel 4 program, *Great British History Hunters*, captivating audiences with its supposed history.
Price exploited the Portable Antiquities Scheme, a system designed to record and assess historical finds. He submitted the brooch to Lincolnshire County Council, initiating a process intended to safeguard genuine treasures and historical artifacts.
His deception didn’t stop there. Price reported discovering a Roman knee brooch in Long Bennington, an area steeped in Roman history, which was officially recorded as treasure under the Treasure Act. He further claimed to have located two Roman hoards, including a Bronze Age axe and figurines.
However, the truth began to unravel. Many of the items Price presented as discoveries were, in fact, purchased online, meticulously introduced to create a false narrative of prolific archaeological success.
At Lincoln Crown Court, Price admitted to four counts of fraud by false representation. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £3,250 in compensation to Lincolnshire County Council.
The court also mandated 10 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work. The judge recognized the potential damage Price’s actions could inflict on the integrity of the treasure reporting process and the preservation of local heritage in areas like Roxholm, Haconby, and Long Bennington.
Officials expressed deep disappointment at the exploitation of Lincolnshire’s rich historical landscape. While incidents of this nature are rare, the case underscores the importance of rigorous examination and verification procedures within museums and archaeological organizations.
The meticulous scrutiny applied to potential acquisitions ultimately protected the museum’s collection, but the case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some will go to fabricate history for personal gain.
