Bronze Age artefacts found in Wales declared 'treasure'

Four gold and copper artefacts, from the Late Bronze Age of 1000-800 BC, were declared treasure by the HM Coroner at a hearing on Wednesday.

Gold artefact found on Anglesey, from the Late Bronze Age of 1,000-800 BC, one 
of four items declared treasure by the HM Coroner [Credit: Wales Online]

The hoard, including a gold penannular ring and three fragments of copper ingot, were discovered in Cwm Cadnant by Philip Cooper in 2013.

The artefacts were discovered a few metres apart from each other while Mr Cooper was metal detecting on farm land.

The artefacts, once buried all together, had probably become separated through more recent farming activity.

The discovery was first reported to Ian Jones, curator at Oriel Ynys Môn, Llangefni and Roland Flook curatorial archaeologist at Gwynedd Archaeological Trust and was subsequently reported on by museum archaeologists at the National Museum of Wales.

Adam Gwilt, principal curator for prehistory at National Museum Wales, said: “This gold hair-ring is finely made and was once worn by a man or woman of some standing within their community.

Four gold and copper artefacts found on Anglesey, from the Late Bronze Age of 1,000-800 BC, 
have been declared treasure by the HM Coroner [Credit: Wales Online]

“It could have been made of gold from Wales or Ireland. The copper ingot fragments are an important association with the ring.

“It would be interesting to know whether they were transported and exchanged over a long distance by sea, or perhaps smelted from local ores mined at Parys Mountain or The Great Orme.”

The gold ring has striped decoration, formed by applying a silver strip in spiral fashion around the curved gold bar.

The ring has flat-ended terminals, with a gap between them. It may be identified as an example of small Bronze Age adornment known as a hair-ring, although it is possible it was used as an ear-ring, the whole bar passing through a hole in the ear lobe.

One side of the ring is heavily worn through use by its original owner.

In North Wales, similar examples have been found at Trearddur, Anglesey and Graianog, Gwynedd.

Author: Alicia Melville-Smith | Source: Wales Online [February 26, 2015]