Rights Holder: Sussex Archaeological Society
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Unique ID: SUSS-588B26
Object type certainty: Certain
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status: Published
Ref.: 2014 T458, PAS ref.: SUSS-588B26 (Rec. no. 8923)
Surface metal analysis conducted at the British Museum indicated an approximate silver content for the ring of 98%; it weighs 3.6 grams (including two fragments; see below).
The ring consists of two plain, thick rods twisted together with a thinner one between them, all tapering towards the back of the hoop, which is broken. But there are also two separate fragments, which appear to complete the hoop. The surface is deeply corroded and the damage appears to be simply accidental, since antique silver is often quite brittle and prone to fracture. There is a nick towards one of the broken ends, which is likely to have been made to test the metal, most probably in the Viking period. Diameter: 22mm.
The form of the ring is a miniature version of Viking-period gold and silver neck- and arm-rings of around the 10th-11th centuries, like those from Skaill, Orkney, and Wipholm, Germany. As noted by the Finds Liaison Officer, Stephanie Smith, a close parallel from near Wold Newton, North-East Lincolnshire has been recently reported as potential Treasure (Treasure ref. 2013 T285; PAS ref. DUR-A1E866) and a slightly more elaborate version from Boynton near Bridlington, East Yorkshire, incorporating a beaded wire, was reported as Treasure in 2007 (Portable Antiquities and Treasure Annual Report 2007, no. 216). This type of ring appears to have continued in use into the 12th century, or perhaps slightly later (F. Lindahl, 2003, Symboler i guld og sølv. Nationalmuseets fingerringe 1000-1700-årene, Copenhagen, nos. 8, 10, and 13; J. Graham-Campbell, 2011, The Cuerdale Hoard and related Viking-Age silver and gold from Britain and Ireland in the British Museum, London, British Museum Press, 107-108).
The finger-ring from Udimore would therefore qualify as Treasure under two of the stipulated criteria of the Treasure Act: it is more than 300 years old and the precious metal content exceeds 10%.
The object is not disclaimed at either a local or a national level, since *** Museum has expressed an interest in acquiring it and the British Museum would attempt to do so should local efforts fail.
Notes:
B.M. Ager
Curator, Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory, British Museum
26 November 2014
Update: Local museum has passed on acquisition interest.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder after being disclaimed as Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2014T458
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Viking style
Date from: Circa AD 900
Date to: Circa AD 1100
Quantity: 1
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 19th January 2014
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Treasure case number: 2014T458
4 Figure: TQ8920
Four figure Latitude: 50.94844687
Four figure longitude: 0.68924536
1:25K map: TQ8920
1:10K map: TQ82SE
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.