BRACELET

Description

1. Length of twisted strands of silver wire (found on 29/03/11) Description: This is the largest of the fragments recovered. Three strands of circular-sectioned silver wire twisted together to form a thicker strip. Approximately half way down the length of the object, a sub-triangular knob of silver has been deliberately melted and affixed to two of the strands. Closer to the end of the fragment, one of the three strands has broken away. This is a clean break, and looks recent. The surface of the strands is heavily abraded and tool marks cannot be discerned. Composition: XRF analysis of the surface of this object showed a composition of 97% silver, 1% gold and 2% copper. Measurements: Length: 37.7mm; diameter: 4.0mm; max. length of sub-triangular lump: 10.4mm; weight: 4.33g

2. Small broken fragment of twisted silver wire (found with no. 1, also on 29/03/11. Probably related.) Description: A single strand of circular-sectioned twisted silver wire. May attach to the break on find no. 1. Measurements: Length: 11.12mm; diameter: 2.8mm; weight: 0.36g

3. Small length of twisted strands of silver wire (found on 17/04/11) Description: Small section of silver wire, formed from two circular-sectioned strands twisted together. There is space for a third strand, which has broken away. At one end of the fragment is a protruding sub-triangular silver knob, which has been melted together with the strands, as seen in find no. 1. The surface of the strands is heavily abraded and tool marks cannot be discerned. Composition: XRF analysis of the surface of this object showed a composition of 94% silver, 1% gold and 3% copper. Traces of tin, zinc and lead were also detected. Measurements: Length: 17.8mm; diameter: 3.2mm; max. length of sub-triangular lump: 6.6mm; weight: 1.88g

4. Very small amorphous fragment of lead, possibly a piece of casting waste (found on 15/04/11) Composition: XRF analysis of the surface of this object showed only the presence of lead. Measurements: Max length: 10.2mm; max. width: 6.5mm; weight: 1.19g

Discussion

The form and patination of these fragments suggests that they are most likely more than 300 years old. However, their form and composition are not diagnostic to any particular period. Similarities with pieces of known Iron Age date from Snettisham (Stead 1991, Plates I and II) mean an Iron Age date for these objects cannot be ruled out, but this was impossible to ascertain with certainty. Conclusion Finds 1-3 fulfil the Treasure Act (1996) in that it they are most likely more than 300 years old and have a precious metal content exceeding 10%. Find 4 is not precious metal, but was found in close association with the other fragments, and can be considered to form part of the same find. All of these finds should therefore be classed as Treasure.

Julia Farley, Curator of Iron Age Collections, British Museum

Mariam Moghaddassi University of Wales Trinity St. David, Lampeter

References:

Stead, I.M. 1991. The Snettisham treasure: excavations in 1990, Antiquity 65: 447-65.