WMID-62A518: Iron Age: Incomplete thistle headed torc

Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:


Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:

Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:

Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:

Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:

Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:

Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:

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TORC

Unique ID: WMID-62A518

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Published Find published

An incomplete copper alloy thistle headed torc of Iron Age dating (2nd Century BC to 1st Century AD).

One terminal and part of the neck ring are present. The terminal is of the thistle head style, with a flat top. The terminal extends from the neck ring, first with a narrow collar (8.2 mm diameter), and then a wider swollen collar (4.6 mm long, 9.4 mm diameter), then a circular groove (8.9 mm diameter), before expanding outwards into a flat thistle head. This part of the terminal is 12.3 mm long. A possible maker's mark of a punched ring and dot is present but is covered with some corrosion. The neck ring has a circular cross section (6.1 mm diameter). No decoration appears on the neck ring.

The terminal head has a diameter of 15.2 mm and the whole terminal measures 18.3 mm in length. Straightened out, it would measure 168 mm in length. But in its current curved shape, it has a length of 141.5 mm, it is 49.0 mm wide. It weighs 46.8 g.

The torc fragment is a dark green colour, with an even surface patina.

A torc with a similar terminal has been found in the Medway, Kent.

Find of note status

This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance

Class: thistle headed

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: IRON AGE
Period from: IRON AGE
Period to: IRON AGE
Date from: Circa 200 BC
Date to: Circa AD 100

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 141.5 mm
Width: 49 mm
Thickness: 15.2 mm
Weight: 45.8 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 18th August 2019 - Sunday 18th August 2019

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Incomplete

Spatial metadata

Region: West Midlands (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Staffordshire (County)
District: Lichfield (District)
To be known as: Shenstone

Spatial coordinates


Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
Discovery circumstances: Found whilst out searching with a metal detector
General landuse: Cultivated land

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Timeline of associated dates

Audit data

Recording Institution: WMID
Created: 4 years ago
Updated: 4 years ago

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