Divers have discovered ancient artefacts at the bottom of the River Shannon - video

At the bottom of the River Shannon, divers from Offaly Sub Aqua Club have found a number of artefacts that date back as far as the Stone Age.

While preparing to search for missing persons, divers discovered unusual artefacts resting at the bottom of the River Shannon. All in an opportunity water rescue trainingwhich they have carried out over the past 18 months.

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Among the artefacts discovered in the river , they found various types of weapons, helmets, as well as boat wrecks. One must admit that the systematic cleaning, which lasted for a year and a half, allowed to gather a wonderful collection of artifacts. Many museums would be proud of such a collection, and that is where the excavated objects go. The National Museum of Ireland, to be precise. Except of course for the wrecks, which are waiting to be thoroughly examined by archaeologists.

Great finds from the River Shannon

The oldest of the objects found seem to be boat wrecks dating back to the Stone Age. The list of artifacts also includes three Bronze Age spears, six medieval swords, a 1,000-year-old spear and a ha Gallowglass from the 13th century. The collection was completed with battle axes, shields and firearms in the form of pistols and a musket from the 16th century.

However, the Irish divers made it clear that searching for monuments is not their aim. The artefacts, while wonderful and revealing the history of County Offaly over the centuries, are just an add-on. The overriding aim is to train and improve their own skills.

The reason we dive is because we are looking for missing persons. We are not in the business of looking for artefacts at all. Occasionally we come across them as we complete our tasks. The area we occupy stretches from Athlone to Portumna. We often train in the river, exploring it and preparing for the real thing. During our training we often come across these fascinating and exciting sights – said Noel Guerin, a member of the local diving club.

As you can see on this particular exampledeveloping yourself, improving your skills and diving in local waters undoubtedly pays off. After all, all over the world, often in the least expected places, a mass of hidden history is waiting for us.