One of the striking features of the Bronze Age is the quantity of metalwork from that period which has been recovered from wet places such as rivers, bogs and lakes. At first thought to represent accidental losses from boats, archaeologists now believe that most of the objects were deliberately placed there because watery environments were sacred to Bronze Age communities and were associated with particular deities.

Most of the metalwork recovered from water has been fine weaponry. Some is elaborate and undamaged – pristine offerings of considerable value. Other material has been well-used, perhaps in battle and personal combat; its history giving the object added significance. Sometimes there is evidence for deliberate damage at the time of abandonment, thought to be part of the rituals associated with the offering.

Metalwork finds are often concentrated in particular reaches of rivers, or areas of a bog. This suggests that the exact location was important, although we do not know why they were chosen. Occasionally, evidence for waterside structures has been found nearby, but many of these places could have been natural sanctuaries with no buildings.