Rights Holder: Somerset County Council
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Unique ID: DOR-173265
Object type certainty: Possibly
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
Report to H.M. Coroner
Potential Treasure of possible Bronze Age pendant from Charminster, Dorset
Treasure case: 2006 T380
Circumstances of discovery
Found in September 2004 while using a metal detector; it was 'a few inches deep' in a field of stubble.
Description
A cigar-shaped strip of gold with sub-square terminals. The two long sides are asymmetric, one being more bowed than the other, but this may be due to a stronger buckle affecting the latter. The strip thins to either terminal, but the long edges have marginal lipping from edge finishing. The perforation is circular at its entrance and tapers to a less regular shape on the rear face where it pushes lips of metal through; it would appear to have been pierced with a partly rotary action.
The reverse face presents a matt surface with a subtle texture probably resulting from the anvil (-stone ?) it was worked on. In contrast, the obverse is burnished and bears many longitudinal striations, some relatively coarse, probably the products of ancient finishing and use-wear.
Dimensions
Length: 73.7mm; maximum width: 12.1mm; maximum thickness (edges): 0.5mm; thickness ends: 0.1mm; entrance diameter of perforation: 1.9mm; weight: 4.0g.
Metal composition
See attached report
Identification
Although the object is a little contorted, there is no evidence that it was once curled round into a ring. It would seem to have been a finished and, indeed, well-used object, hence the single end perforation suggests that it would have been a suspended ornament, perhaps a pendant or decorative tab dangling from an item of clothing. It does not belong to an established type of the British Bronze Age, but both form and metal composition would be in keeping with such a date.
Conclusion
This simple ornament has a high precious metal content and is almost certainly ancient (greater than 300 years) and is therefore eligible as Treasure.
Dr S.P. Needham
Department of Prehistory & Europe
British Museum
London WC1B 3DG
23 October 2006
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2006T380
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 2200 BC
Date to: Exactly 800 BC
Quantity: 1
Length: 73.7 mm
Width: 12.1 mm
Thickness: 0.5 mm
Weight: 4 g
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st September 2004 - Thursday 30th September 2004
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Treasure case number: 2006T380
No references cited so far.