VANCOUVER — A thrift store in Chilliwack, B.C., has donated a collection of artifacts that researchers at Simon Fraser University believe may date back to medieval or Roman times.
Thrifty Boutique manager Sandy Parker says it is the most unique donation she has seen in her 11 years working at the store.
She says they initially priced the 11 rings and two medallions at $30 each, but a patron who identified himself as an archeologist stumbled across the items and alerted a volunteer about their possible significance.
The collection has since been donated to Simon Fraser University’s Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, and they’ll soon be used as part of a new course, where students will get to analyze the designs and materials in an attempt to identify where they originated.
Sabrina Higgins, an associate professor of archeology at the university, was the first to analyze the items and says she believes, based on their decorations, that they could date back to the fourth or fifth century.
Higgins, who will help teach the class starting next fall, says even if the artifacts end up being forgeries, it will still provide an unique learning experience for students and raise questions around why fakes continue to make their way into the antiquities market.
She says the class will culminate in an exhibition at the museum, which will focus on the history and biography of the artifacts, as well as the ethical considerations that archeologists and museums face.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2025.
The Canadian Press
