ANCIENT finds discovered in Gwent and along the South Wales coastline have amazed archaeologists for years. From evidence of the Black Death to weaponry and even lost villages, the artifacts offer fascinating insight to the past.

South Wales Argus: This deep pit may not look very exciting but it provided evidence of the plague which devastated medieval Monmouth. People fled the Black Death in 1348 and the pit offered evidence4 of this exodus when it was found in 1987

This deep pit may not look very exciting but it provided evidence of the plague which devastated medieval Monmouth. People fled the Black Death in 1348 and the pit offered evidence4 of this exodus when it was found in 1987

South Wales Argus: A metal detector unearthed a 12-foot, seven-ton Victorian cannon barrel in its concrete coffin on Steep Holm in 1981

A metal detector unearthed a 12-foot, seven-ton Victorian cannon barrel in its concrete coffin on Steep Holm in 1981

South Wales Argus: This glass vase bought for 25p at a jumble sale by a Gwent woman stunned experts. The vase turned out to be a rare example of Roman artwork, thought to be priceless. The vase was handed to Glamorgan/Gwent Archaeological Trust in 1988

This glass vase bought for 25p at a jumble sale by a Gwent woman stunned experts. The vase turned out to be a rare example of Roman artwork, thought to be priceless. The vase was handed to Glamorgan/Gwent Archaeological Trust in 1988

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South Wales Argus: Archaeologists found the hull of this 17th century boat in the River Usk in 1987

Archaeologists found the hull of this 17th century  boat in the River Usk in 1987

South Wales Argus: This Egyptian mummy from Swansea Museum arrived at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, in 1993 to be X-rayed. Radiographer Janet Pugh and museum staffman Ian Sefi prepare it for a body scan

This Egyptian mummy from Swansea Museum arrived at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, in 1993 to be X-rayed. Radiographer Janet Pugh and museum staffman Ian Sefi prepare it for a body scan

South Wales Argus: Workmen discovered a pair of 300 year old shoes at the Robin Hood pub in Monmouth in 1994

Workmen discovered a pair of 300 year old shoes at the Robin Hood pub in Monmouth in 1994

South Wales Argus: Richard Jones and Tom Smith with a hoard of weapons, from the Bronze Age, found on land in the Vale of Usk in 1989

Richard Jones and Tom Smith with a hoard of weapons, from the Bronze Age, found on land in the Vale of Usk in 1989

South Wales Argus: A 3,000 year old fishing village was discovered at Gold Cliff on the Severn Estury in 1990

A 3,000 year old fishing village was discovered at Gold Cliff on the Severn Estuary in 1990