Rare Viking gold arm ring found in York area.

Published: 19 years ago Author: Michael Lewis

A gold Viking arm ring, the second of its kind to be discovered in Britain, has been found in the York area.
The arm ring was brought in to Simon Holmes, of the national Portable Antiquities Scheme, who is based at the Yorkshire Museum, York.

It was brought in by a brother and sister who found the ring amongst their late father s possessions.
The ring was analysed by experts at the British Museum and was declared  treasure  at an inquest in York held this week.

The ring consists of 95 per cent gold and weighs 325 grams. It has been cut through and partly straightened into a curved L-shape, but it is otherwise complete and measures 26cm in diameter.
It is made of two thick, round rods with beaded wires between them, twisted into a cable and tapering to the ends. The original ends are joined to a plain, polyhedral knob at the end.

The arm ring is similar to another example from the Viking period, found in Wipholm, Germany, and the polyhedral knob is similar to other Viking gold arm rings from Dublin and Hornelund, Denmark.Mr Holmes said: 

The only other similar example to be found in Britain was found in Goodrington in Devon and I believe our example is the larger of the two. It s a fascinating find and a beautiful object. 

The ring is currently at the British Museum, where it is being studied, but York Museums Trust now hopes to acquire the arm ring for display at the Yorkshire Museum.

Andrew Morrison, curator of access for archaeology, said:  

"It is a really exciting find. Gold Viking arm rings are not common objects at all and we would be very keen to acquire this object, subject to us raising enough funds."

If you would like to bring in your archaeological finds to be identified, email  simon.holmes@ymt.org.uk or visit the Yorkshire Museum s free finds surgeries on 4 September, 2 October, 6 November and 4 December, from 10am - 2pm.



Back view of Viking Arm-ring

 

Front view of Viking Arm-ring.

Contact: Michael Lewis