Some extremely rare artifacts, possibly medieval, were recently discovered for just $30 at the Thrifty Boutique thrift store in Chilliwack, operated by the Chilliwack Hospice Society.
The collection of eleven rings and two medallions was spotted by a customer with an archaeology background who immediately recognized their potential value. Volunteers then contacted Simon Fraser University, which has now taken the artifacts into the care of its Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.
Experts say the items could be hundreds or even thousands of years old. While their exact origin remains unknown, SFU associate professor Sabrina Higgins, who specializes in Rome and late antique archaeology, believes the pieces most likely date to the medieval period.
“The shapes, designs and construction make me think these are medieval, as the Romans typically used slightly different materials and techniques,” Higgins explained.
The museum will use advanced technologies to investigate the artifacts’ background while also using them to educate students about archaeology and museum ethics. A new course planned for fall 2026 will center on these pieces, exploring their origins as well as ethical questions about artifacts that lack provenance.
Museum director Barbara Hilden called the find extraordinary, noting that the items could have been lost or destroyed at any point in history, yet have survived to tell a new chapter.
The course will culminate in an exhibition at SFU’s Burnaby campus, highlighting the artifacts’ journey, their potential significance, and the broader ethical issues around looted or undocumented historical pieces.
