HOARD

Six small fragments of scrap gold.

1. Section of thick gold ribbon with roughly cut ends.

L: 20.3mm; W: 14.4mm; Th: 2.4mm; Wt. 7.1g.

2. Section of thick gold ribbon with roughly cut ends; about 2/3 of its length hammered flatter.

L: 16.8mm; W:12.4mm; Th: 3.3mm; Wt: 5g.

3. Section of gold bar cut and hammered at each end.

L: 24.4mm; W: 9.7mm: Th: 7.4mm; Wt: 12.6g.

4. Segment of roughly rectangular-sectioned gold bar, cut and hammered flat at one end.

L: 23.8mm; W: 13mm; TH: 7.3mm; Wt: 10.1g.

5. Segment of circular-sectioned gold bar, hammered flat at one end, other end possibly remnant terminal of original bar or object.

L: 26.3mm; Th: 6mm; Wt: 5.7g.

6. Segment of circular-sectioned gold bar, broken at both ends.

L: 30.8mm; Th: 7.2mm; Wt: 13g.

Identification

Possibly from a hoard of scrap gold. Such are known in antiquity, but there is nothing sufficiently diagnostic of any particular period to place the pieces culturally or chronologically. The compositions of the pieces would be compatible with a Bronze Age date but are insufficient evidence alone to place them.

Due to the undiagnostic nature of the find it cannot be securely dated to pre-1713 and as such falls outside the provisions of the Treasure Act 1996.

Gillian Varndell
Curator, Department of Prehistory and Europe
British Museum