Unbelievable Finds: Discover Rare Artifacts in a B.C. Thrift Store for Only $30!

A recent find at a thrift store in Chilliwack has surprised everyone. A customer purchased a collection for just $30, only to discover that it included 11 rings and two medallions with historical significance.

The Thrifty Boutique, where the items were found, passed them to Simon Fraser University (SFU) for a deeper look. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students,” said Sabrina Higgins, an associate professor of archaeology at SFU. She noted that the designs might trace back to medieval times or even earlier, possibly within the former Western Roman Empire.

The artifacts will be part of a new SFU archaeology course starting in the fall of 2026. Students will spend months studying them, using advanced research methods to uncover their origins. Even if the pieces turn out to be replicas, Higgins believes the process will teach students important lessons about authenticity in archaeology.

This case also raises ethical questions. SFU usually avoids accepting undocumented artifacts due to concerns about looting. “Finding items like this is extremely rare,” said Cara Tremain, an assistant professor focusing on ethics in the antiquities market. She emphasized that students will confront complicated issues surrounding how the artifacts reached them, whether they were taken illegally or created recently.

When the Chilliwack Hospice Society, which operates the Thrifty Boutique, learned about the discovery, they expressed amazement. Executive Director Sue Knott remarked, “This story shows that every donation holds potential history.”

The museum staff, including Barbara Hilden, the museum director, highlighted how remarkable it is for items to survive for hundreds or thousands of years. “They could have been lost or damaged at any moment, yet they are preserved and now have a new purpose,” Hilden said.

Such discoveries not only pique interest but also engage students and the community in meaningful conversations about history and ethics in archaeology. It’s a poignant reminder of the stories that objects can tell, spanning time and cultures.

For more insights on the ethical implications of antique artifacts, you can refer to resources from the Society for American Archaeology.

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