Rights Holder: Hampshire Cultural Trust
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PENANNULAR RING
Unique ID: HAMP-425F0D
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A Late Bronze Age (1150-800 BC) gold or gold-plated copper alloy penannular ring, oval in cross-section with irregularly shaped hollow area at the centre of each terminal. One of the terminals has a chip of metal missing at the edge. The terminals are not perfectly aligned, giving the impression that the object is ever-so-slightly twisted. It is not possible to be entirely certain whether the ring was solid gold or a copper alloy core wrapped in gold sheet (as occurs in several instances). There are no signs of the copper alloy corrosion that can accompany the latter scenario.
'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' (Mark Lodwick and Mary Davis in record NMGW-04216C; references therein).
Dimensions and metal content: The object measures 16.5mm in length, 15.1mm in height, 6.2mm in max thickness and weighs 6.78g. The gap between the two terminals is 2.2mm at its widest point and the circular open centre measures 6x5.7mm in 'diameter'.
Notes:
Consequently, in terms of age and precious metal content, the object qualifies as Treasure under the stipulations of the Treasure Act 1996.
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Hampshire Cultural Trust
Subsequent action after recording: Acquired by museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure details
Treasure case tracking number: 2018T89
Chronology
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
Period from: BRONZE AGE
Period to: BRONZE AGE
Date from: Circa 1150 BC
Date to: Circa 750 BC
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 16.5 mm
Height: 15.1 mm
Thickness: 6.2 mm
Weight: 6.78 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 28th January 2018 - Sunday 28th January 2018
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Hampshire Cultural Trust Object Entry Form WINCM 636
Treasure case number: 2018T89
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Basingstoke and Deane (District)
To be known as: Preston Candover
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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