A 5,000-year-old Neolithic blade uncovered in North Wales is the star attraction at an exhibition staged by a retired head teacher. The blade was discovered embedded in peat on the beach at Porth Neigwl (Hell's Mouth) last Easter. Anna E Jones hopes the exhibition of old photographs in her local village hall will help boost her ambition of opening a museum.
     The history-lover believes the area - close to Bardsey Island - has a major and significant story to tell. She is convinced the photographs and blade could be the catalyst which make her museum dream come true. "It could be the first step towards establishing a museum and drawing awareness of the need to preserve artefacts locally. It is an area steeped in history," said Miss Jones.
     The four-and-a-half inch blue grey Neolithic blade was found by David Taylor, a human resources consultant from Trefaes, near Sarn. He visited Hell's Mouth beach with his wife Penni and other friends and neighbours last Easter. Mrs Taylor said: "We had heard after stormy weather the ancient tree stumps in peat were visible. "Quite a few of us went along and you could see some preserved hazel nuts. It was mind-boggling. Then David saw the stone embedded in a tree trunk. It was a lovely colour, very smooth with a serrated edge. He knows about these things and decided to take it along to the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust in Bangor. They have verified it as a Neolithic blade about 5,000 years old. You could almost imagine someone shaping it all those years ago. It is absolutely fascinating."
     The exhibition will run at Abersoch village hall until the end of the month. It opens daily from 10am to 4pm.

Sources: icNorthWales, North Wales Weekly News (17 August 2004)