TREASURE ANNU AL REPORT 2005/6 - Portable Antiquities Scheme

7. Takeley, Essex: middle bronze Age gold ring
(2005 T495)
Date: Probably c. 1300–1100 BC
Discovery: Found by Mr B Reynolds while metaldetecting
in October 2005.
Description: A 3-coil gold ring which appears to be
made from a rolled-up length of gold sheet; the wire
thus made has a flattened oval section. The ends are
slightly tapered and terminate level with each other.
A very small part of the tip of one end is broken off
revealing a void. Max. dimensions: 28 x 10.5mm;
weight: 4.46g. Surface analysis indicated a gold content
of approximately 77–79%.
Discussion: Coiled gold rings (but of solid, roundsectioned
wire) have been found in two Bronze Age
hoards, one from Fitzleroi Farm, West Sussex (British
Museum accession nos. 1996 9-2 1-42) and the recent
find from Poulton, Gloucestershire (Treasure Annual
Report 2004, no. 17). Well-dated types place the date
of deposition as above, i.e. during or slightly after the
Penard phase. It is likely that these are finger-rings.
Loose spiral rings of the same date are known, such as
from Axholme, Lincolnshire, threaded onto a twisted
neck ornament along with two ‘composite’ gold rings
(Taylor 1980, 57 and Pl 39). The Axholme example
appears to have a similar cross-section to the Takeley
piece but is solid. While there are no exact analogues
to date, similar pieces are known from Ireland and
northern France.
Disposition: Saffron Walden Museum.
G VARNDELL
8. sittingbourne area, Kent: middle bronze Age gold
composite ring (2006 T566)
Date: c. 1300–1100 BC
Discovery: Found by Mr P Haynes while metaldetecting
in October 2006.
Description: A composite ring, penannular, comprising
three slender solid gold rods of roughly circular crosssection;
these have been cut at the ends (probably with
a chisel) and fused together. Diameter: 14 x 14.5mm;
weight: 5.07g. Surface analysis indicated a gold content
for the yellow stripes of 66–68%. A well-known Middle
Bronze Age type, decorative in character, dating to c.
1300–1100 BC.
Disposition: Maidstone Museum had hoped to acquire
but withdrew; returned to finder.
G VARNDELL
9. hinckley area, Leicestershire: middle bronze Age
gold penannular ring (2006 T451)
Date: c. 1300–1150 BC
Discovery: Found by Mr R Ward while metal-detecting
in September 2006.
Description: A small gold ring comprising a length of
round-sectioned gold rod; the plain, flat terminals meet
(but not perfectly). Diameter 14 x 12.5mm; diameter
of rod: 3mm; weight 4.39g. Surface analysis indicated a
gold content of approximately 79–81%.
Discussion: While this object belongs broadly to the
class of Bronze Age penannular rings, it has more in
common with the Middle Bronze Age type (which
includes composite rings) than with the later Bronze
Age series. Simple rings of plain round-sectioned rod
have been found in association with Middle Bronze Age
composite rings in north-east Norfolk and Cirencester
area (Treasure Annual Report 2004, nos. 6 & 17).
Disposition: Leicestershire County Council Heritage
Services hope to acquire.
G VARNDELL
10. Farndon, Nottinghamshire: middle bronze Age
gold composite ring (2005 T195)
Date: c. 1300–1100 BC
Discovery: Found by Mr A Dempsey while metaldetecting
in March 2005.
Description: A bipartite composite ring, penannular,
comprising two solid gold rods possibly soldered
together. The piece belongs to a well-known Middle
Bronze Age type, decorative in nature. Max. external
diameter: 15mm; weight: 9.31g. Surface analysis
indicated a gold content of approximately 82%.
Disposition: British Museum.
G VARNDELL
11. River perry area, shropshire: middle or Late
bronze Age gold bracelet (2006 T34)
Date: c. 1300 BC onwards
Discovery: Found by Mr R McArthur while metaldetecting
in January 2006.
Description: Penannular, hollow gold bracelet,
originally of circular or near-circular cross-section, now
distorted. The body expands very slightly at the one
extant terminal; the other is missing. The terminal has
a cap which was made separately. The piece was made
from thick gold sheet rolled into a tube; the long edges
might originally have been neatly butted but have now
parted in places, and overlap in others where crushed.
Length if straightened: 162mm; diameter as distorted:
70 x 44.5mm; weight 35.72g (uncleaned).
Discussion: The overall shape suggests a date within
the Bronze Age, but known Bronze Age examples
of this form are not hollow. Some later Bronze Age
cup-ended bracelets are hollow but the joins are not
visible. Surface analysis indicated a gold content of
approximately 84–86%, and was generally consistent
with an ancient date.
Disposition: Shropshire County Museum Service.
G VARNDELL
12. mendip hills area, somerset: middle bronze Age
gold hoard (2005 T523)
Date: 1200–1100 BC
Discovery: Found by Mr N Howick while metaldetecting
in November 2005. When discovered,
the 19 pieces were ‘in a tight ball’, subsequently
separated. Investigation by Somerset County Council
archaeologists confirmed a topsoil context for the find.
Description: All twisting and distortion seems to have
occurred at the time of coiling, probably shortly
before deposition.
1. Bar torc (part) of triangular cross-section, with
simple hooked terminal, roughly and loosely coiled and
irregularly twisted. The torc was originally untwisted
and penannular in shape. Length: 560mm; triangular
cross-section, sides: 3.9mm; weight: 53.9g. Note: no. 6
is part of this torc giving a total length (circumference)
of 700mm (i.e. a diameter of c. 223mm) and weight
of 66.65g.
2. Bar torc (part) of triangular cross-section, with
simple hooked terminal of round cross-section. It is
roughly loosely coiled and irregularly twisted. The torc
was originally untwisted and penannular in shape. A
22mm length at the broken end of the torc has been
bent to the point of creating a near fracture. This is
probably part of no. 4, although neither has a clean
break at the fractured end as both have apparently
been cut. Length: 505mm; triangular cross-section,
sides: 2.7mm; weight: 30.51g. If nos. 2 & 4 are from the
same torc it originally had a length of at least 665mm
(i.e. a diameter of c. 212mm) and weight of 38.82g.
3. Bar torc of triangular cross-section, with simple
hooked terminals of round cross-section, roughly coiled.
There may originally have been some irregular twisting
to the torc. Length: 540mm (i.e. diameter c. 172mm);
triangular cross-section, sides: 2.7mm; weight: 39.77g.
4. Bar torc (part) of triangular cross-section with simple
hooked terminal of round cross-section. Note: see no. 2.
Length: 160mm; triangular cross-section, sides: 2.6mm;
weight: 8.31g.
5. Bar torc of triangular cross-section, with simple
hooked terminals of round cross-section, tightly coiled
and then flattened, but originally untwisted. Length:
720mm (i.e. a diameter of c. 230mm); triangular crosssection,
sides: 2.2mm; weight: 26.14g.
6. Bar torc (part) of triangular cross-section, with
simple hooked terminal. Note: see no. 1. Length:
140mm; triangular cross-section, sides: 3.9mm;
weight: 12.73g.
7. Penannular bar bracelet of triangular cross-section
with plain terminals. The slight twisting is probably
secondary. Length: 180mm; triangular cross-section,
sides: 4.0mm; weight: 23.46g.
8. Ribbon torc with simple hooked terminals, loosely
twisted, coiled prior to deposition. Length: 340mm;
weight: 32.27g.
9. Penannular bar bracelet of rectangular cross-section
with simple, slightly tapering and rounded terminals.
Length: 180mm; weight: 31.34g.
10–12. 3 doubled and hooked ribbon bracelets,
originally untwisted. At the point the ribbon is doubled,
the width tapers and a loop is formed to receive the
hooks. The hooks themselves are simple and taper to
points. Lengths: 360mm, 400mm & 360mm; weights:
6.87g, 7.0g & 7.35g respectively.
13–17. 5 doubled and hooked bar bracelets of round
cross-section, loosely coiled. A loop is formed at the
point each bracelet is doubled to receive the hooks,
which are simple and tapering. Lengths: 350–450mm;
weights: 20.9g, 19.62g, 30.12g, 21.74g & 27.89g
respectively.
18 & 19. 2 small D-shaped penannular bars, purpose
uncertain. Lengths: 15mm & 22mm; weights: 0.35g &
0.4g respectively.
Discussion: In summary, the hoard probably
constitutes 17 objects, total weight: 400.72g. While
there are a number of unusual types within the hoard,
notably the doubled and hooked bracelets, the find can
be securely dated to the Middle Bronze Age. All pieces
were subjected to distortion to a greater or lesser
extent prior to the hoard’s deposition, but most do not
show significant signs of wear or damage prior to this.
The presence of these gold personal ornaments
in Somerset reflects their broader concentration
throughout south-west England and distribution
throughout north-west Europe. The coastal locations
of the gold depositions potentially indicate their
relationship to maritime interactions during the period.
Disposition: Somerset County Museums Service.
S MINNITT
18 BRONZE AGE BRONZE AGE 19