JEWELLERY

A fragment of gold sheet, the remains of a personal ornament of Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age date (c. 2500 BC-c. 2200 BC). The object is a type known as a basket-shaped ornament. Treasure case no. 2009 T741.

The plaque would have originally been U-shaped in cross-section with a tang soldered mid-way along its longitudinal length for attachment. In plan, it has a curving outline and when complete, would have formed an elongated oval shape. Following the outline are two parallel lines of finely punched dots. There are also similar dots punched from the opposite side. These, however, do not form lines or a recognisable pattern. The whole surface is buckled and creased.

24.8 x 16.3 x 0.05mm. Weight: 0.65g. The find contains a minimum of 10% gold and predates 1700. It thus qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of precious metal content and age.

Treasure Report. Shorwell, Isle of Wight: gold personal ornament (PAS: IOW-62FFD2; Treasure 2009 T741)

Date: Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age (c. 2500 BC-c. 2200 BC).

Discovery: Found by Mr Keith Gosden while metal-detecting in December 2009.

Description: A fragment of a personal ornament. The object is a type known as a 'basket ornament', sometimes classified as an earring or tress ring. The plaque would have originally been U-shaped in cross-section with a tang soldered mid-way along its longitudinal length for attachment. In plan, it has a curving outline and when complete, would have formed an elongated oval shape. Following the outline are two parallel lines of finely punched dots. There are also similar dots punched from the opposite side. These, however, do not form lines or a recognisable pattern. The whole surface is buckled and creased.

Discussion: This type is among the earliest gold-work in Britain, dating to the phase of copper usage prior to the adoption of bronze, circa 25th - 22nd centuries BC. Some are known in pairs and occur in early Beaker graves (for example that of the celebrated Amesbury Archer). The function of basket-shaped ornaments is unknown, but from their position in graves they may have been used as hair ornaments or ear-rings.

Dimensions: 24.8 x 16.3 x 0.05mm. Weight: 0.65g.

Metal content: The find contains a minimum of 10% gold and predates 1700. It thus qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996 in terms of precious metal content and age.

Frank Basford, Finds Liaison Officer, Isle of Wight, December 2009.