Excited by their discovery, they both quickly searched before they were shocked with what they uncovered. It was a 3,000-year-old Bronze Age knife; experts say it was most likely used as a leather working tool, rather than as a weapon.

Christopher and June Preece were out walking on Sandown Beach on the Isle of Wight with a metal detector when it suddenly went off.

When most people are on vacation at the beach, they are content with sunbathing or swimming, but this was not the case with the Preece couple.

They took their finding to the Isle of Wight’s liaison officer, Frank Basford, who then confirmed the knife was made around 1,000B.C.

“We were enjoying a one-week holiday and were walking on Sandown Beach when the detector buzzed and we noticed that the objects looked unusual.

I have a keen interest in history and immediately thought they were very old, because the knife has a green color which is often found on old copper.

The shape also gave me an indication it was an historical artifact.” When they found the knife, they said that it was an “unbelievable feeling.”

The Bronze Age knife is now on display at Newport Roman Villa on the island, along with a button the couple found that dates to the 17th century.

The Isle of Wight Council Executive member of tourism, Councilor Shirley Smart, said: ‘This is a wonderful discovery for the Isle of Wight. This image shows Sandown’s beach and promenade in the early 19th century

‘It’s amazing someone made that 3,000 years ago to use – I couldn’t even make one now even with all of the latest technology available. It is remarkable the knife is still here and it’s a great feeling that I was able to save it before it got washed away.’

Here is another interesting read from our archeology files: Beads Were Found in 3,400-year-old Nordic Graves That Were Made by King Tut’s Glassmaker

June Preece then added: ‘To be told the knife is several thousand years old is just incredible. We never thought what we found was so old.’