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8h ago

Possible Medieval Jewelry From B.C. Thrift Store Heads to SFU for Study

SFU will run a months-long analysis as part of a new archaeology course beginning in 2026.

The items found in a Chilliwack thrift shop that could date back potentially thousands of years.
Image
Sabrina Higgins, SFU associate professor of global humanities and archeology, and Barbara Hilden, director, SFU Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, examine the rare artifacts that have been donated for study. The 11 rings and two medallions, thought to date from ancient Roman times were discord at the Thrifty Boutique in Chilliwack.
Handout photo of some of the artifacts donated to SFU (Simon Fraser University) for study.

Overview

  • Thrifty Boutique in Chilliwack donated 11 rings and two medallions to Simon Fraser University’s Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology after a patron flagged their potential significance.
  • Associate professor Sabrina Higgins said the designs and materials suggest a likely medieval origin, possibly within the former Western Roman Empire, and she noted they could date to the fourth or fifth century.
  • The artifacts will anchor a new SFU archaeology course starting in fall 2026, where students will apply research technologies over several months to investigate origin and age.
  • Museum staff emphasized that the undocumented collection raises ethical questions, including the risks of looting and the prevalence of modern forgeries in the antiquities market.
  • A public exhibition is planned at the end of the course, presenting the findings and exploring the objects’ biographies and the ethical issues surrounding their study.