Workshop - Mini Votives

The Iron Age Offering Still Waiting for Its Display Case

In 2020, a metal detectorist searching land near Bagendon, a few miles from Cirencester and once the tribal capital of the Dobunni, turned up more than 150 silver and bronze coins stamped with the tribe's distinctive three-tailed horse.

Buried with them were miniature bronze weapons: spears some under an inch long, model swords, scabbards, shields and daggers, every one deliberately snapped in two before burial. Archaeologists believe the site was a Celtic sacred precinct and the broken pieces were votives, offerings destroyed on purpose so they could never be reclaimed or reused. Corinium Museum has since acquired the hoard and is raising funds to conserve it, with public display planned for 2027.

This 90-minute workshop, for ages 7 and up, covers the patterns on the coins and votives, then has children shape and decorate a miniature Iron Age offering of their own to take home.

It's a chance to make your own version of a find that will not go on public display at the museum until 2027.

Ticketed.

Wednesday 26 August 2026 · Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 2BX · Starts 10:30am