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Description: | Report to H.M. CoronerPotential Treasure of possible Bronze Age pendant from Charminster, DorsetTreasure case: 2006 T380Circumstances of discoveryFound in September 2004 while using a metal detector; it was 'a few inches deep' in a field of stubble.DescriptionA cigar-shaped strip of gold with sub-square terminals. The two long sides are asymmetric, one being more bowed than the other, but this may be due to a stronger buckle affecting the latter. The strip thins to either terminal, but the long edges have marginal lipping from edge finishing. The perforation is circular at its entrance and tapers to a less regular shape on the rear face where it pushes lips of metal through; it would appear to have been pierced with a partly rotary action.The reverse face presents a matt surface with a subtle texture probably resulting from the anvil (-stone ?) it was worked on. In contrast, the obverse is burnished and bears many longitudinal striations, some relatively coarse, probably the products of ancient finishing and use-wear.DimensionsLength: 73.7mm; maximum width: 12.1mm; maximum thickness (edges): 0.5mm; thickness ends: 0.1mm; entrance diameter of perforation: 1.9mm; weight: 4.0g.Metal compositionSee attached reportIdentificationAlthough the object is a little contorted, there is no evidence that it was once curled round into a ring. It would seem to have been a finished and, indeed, well-used object, hence the single end perforation suggests that it would have been a suspended ornament, perhaps a pendant or decorative tab dangling from an item of clothing. It does not belong to an established type of the British Bronze Age, but both form and metal composition would be in keeping with such a date.ConclusionThis simple ornament has a high precious metal content and is almost certainly ancient (greater than 300 years) and is therefore eligible as Treasure.Dr S.P. NeedhamDepartment of Prehistory & EuropeBritish MuseumLondon WC1B 3DG23 October 2006
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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