2010-12-10 12:10:38 Mark Lodwick mlodwick 2011-05-12 12:02:00 Ian Richardson ianr NMGW-218BE3 RING A plain penannular gold 'lock-ring' with biconical section and a now hollow interior, which has been crumpled and distorted in the ground. The small ring, originally around 30mm in diameter, comprises two circular sheet face-plates with a thin gold wire fused to the plate join, to form an outer rim-binding. A third tube-shaped sheet (once around 9.5mm in height) defines the wall of the inner circular-shaped opening and is folded over the margins of the face-plates. The terminals defining the slot are triangular shaped in cross-section and are open. Semi-quantitative surface analysis of the lock-ring indicated a composition of 86-87% gold, 8-10% silver and 3-5% copper. This single discovery extends the known distribution of lock-rings into coastal west Wales. Other discoveries of lock-rings within hoards have previously been made at Gaerwen, Anglesey and at the Pigeon's Cave on the Great Orme, Conwy, both along the northern coast of Wales. Together with particular forms of gold bracelet, these have previously suggested a possible Late Bronze Age exchange route with Ireland. The combination of constructional and stylistic features on this Newport example does not easily fit within the existing regional sub-groupings of lock-rings across Britain. The mix of both northern British and southern British attributes on this example hints at a previously unsuspected diversity of technique and cultural expression. A plain penannular gold 'lock-ring' with biconical section and a now hollow interior, which has been crumpled and distorted in the ground. The small ring, originally around 30mm in diameter, comprises two circular sheet face-plates with a thin gold wire fused to the plate join, to form an outer r... Gold BRONZE AGE -1000 -800 32.4 0.7 Complete 2010-12-10 12:10:38 PEMBROKESHIRE Pembrokeshire POINT( ) 29.06.2003 Metal detector 1 NMGW Creative Commons Non Commercial Share Alike - The Portable Antiquities Scheme 2010 These records can be reproduced in a non commercial enviroment as long as the original recorder is cited. The Portable Antiquities Scheme info@finds.org.uk No fees are applicable.