PENANNULAR RING

Treasure case 2018 T14: declared Treasure, undergoing valuation

Description: A complete gold bi-partite penannular ring of Middle to Late Bronze Age date (1300 - 750 BC). The ring is composed of two bands of gold, stacked one on top of the other, and apparently soldered together. Each band is sub-circular (oval) in cross-section and the ring is sub-circular (oval) when viewed in plan. The terminals are flat and do not meet. There is no further decoration.

Dimensions: The ring is 16.2mm long, 14.6mm wide and 7.2mm thick. The gap between the terminals is 3.7mm. It weighs 10.73g. Each of the two individual bands are of equal dimensions.

Discussion: Penannular rings are a relatively common class of artefact reported through the Treasure Act with many known examples including NMGW-04216C. The report for which states: "The penannular ring belongs to a class of artefact which has been termed 'hair-rings' and 'ring-money' (Taylor 1980; Green 1988; Eogan 1994; 1997; Varndell 2001; Hobbs 2003; Meeks et al 2008; O'Connor et al 2008). Their function remains uncertain, although it is likely that they were personal adornments, possibly worn on the ears or nose, rather than being hair-ornaments or items of exchange.

Relatively few examples have been dated through associated finds, archaeological investigation or radiocarbon dating, however burials in Belgium, northeast France and The Netherlands and secondly, Scottish and Irish hoard associations, have suggested a date belonging to the Ewart Park phase of the Late Bronze Age, between 1000-800BC (e.g. Eogan 1997). However, in recent years, the evidence for their earlier development and longer period of manufacture and circulation has been growing. Therefore, on comparative stylistic grounds, the penannular ring may be dated to the Middle or Late Bronze Age (1300-800BC)". (Gwilt 2015).

Many penannular rings of his type are composite with copper alloy cores but there is no evidence visually that that this is the case with this example. Further examples of two gold or gold-plated penannular rings, stacked one on top of the other, can be found on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database: DENO-A13440, IOW-1F5D46 and HAMP-471843.

Conclusion: The ring appears to be over 10% precious metal and more than 300 years old and as such qualifies as potential Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.

Andrew Williams

Portable Antiquities Scheme Intern

February 2018