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BRACELET
Unique ID: HAMP-AD4604
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A gold Bronze age bracelet. In its current form, this is a roughly annular band with a small overlap. One end is a slightly thickened terminal of thin crescentic shape, the other is a thin, wavy edge most likely the product of the reworking of a broken end. It can be assumed that the original form was a penannular bracelet with two matching thickened terminals and a broad gently C-shaped band section, which survives in the reworked form. Remodelling after the loss of one terminal involved pulling the two ends together to overlap and tying them together with a thread (not surviving) passed through crude perforations. Contraction of the diameter caused the band to bend into a fairly even pentagon with obtuse angles. The object is much dented.
The original ornament is very likely to have been a penannular bracelet of C-section with slightly thickened, beaded terminals. C-section bracelets occur in a few Late Bronze Age hoards, although usually with much stronger out-turned terminals. A group of bracelets in the Matignon hoard, Côtes d'Armor, Brittany, are more similar to the Donhead example (Eluère 1982, 181 fig.169).
The original ornament would have been of Bronze Age type and is substantially of precious metal. The date of reworking cannot be ascertained, but does not affect eligibility as treasure.
Notes:
The measurements are rough estimates by the finder.
Surface analysis indicated a gold content of approximately 90%.
TVC recommended valuation: £750
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Acquired by Salisbury and South Wiltshire museum
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2005T1
Chronology
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: Circa 800 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 102 mm
Width: 25 mm
Weight: 21.1 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 14th November 2004
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Treasure case number: 2005T1
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Donhead St.Marys
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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