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The Isle of Wight

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Rare Bronze Age Gold Ring Found


From 'Isle of Wight Today' by Martin Neville.
http://www.iwcp.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1252&ArticleID=936045
A crumpled piece of metal found in a field in the Newchurch parish turned out to be an extremely rare Bronze Age decorative ring of national importance.A treasure trove inquest was told how it was unearthed by illustrator Alan Rowe, of Alvington Road, Carisbrooke, while out metal detecting last summer.

Experts believe the ring, known as a composite ring and which comprises of three ribs fused together, may have hung from a twisted torc worn around the neck or from a bracelet.

Frank Basford, county archaeologist, said the piece, which weighs 3.57 grams and is 82 per cent gold, probably dated back to the middle Bronze Age period, making it around 3,500 years old."There is very little Bronze Age gold work around, making this a very significant and important find in a national and Island context," he said.

...Island coroner John Matthews declared the ring treasure following last week's inquest.
The treasury valuation committee at the British Museum will set a value on the item and Newport's Guildhall Museum has already expressed a wish to buy it.

Photo and drawing on the link.
Rhiannon Posted by Rhiannon
4th February 2005ce
Edited 4th February 2005ce

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