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Yahoo
07-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Viking gold found on Isle of Man
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. An amateur metal detectorist has discovered a 1,000-year-old gold Viking arm-ring — a piece of craftsmanship created by braiding together eight gold rods — that was snipped apart, likely to help its owner cover costs during financial transactions. The arm-ring was found by Ronald Clucas this spring on the Isle of Man, an island in the Irish Sea between Britain and Ireland. Numerous artifacts from the Viking Age (A.D. 793 to 1066) have been found on the isle, which Vikings initially used for trading and later settled, starting in the 800s. "It was quite a big shock to discover this lovely piece of gold, I couldn't really believe it at first!" Clucas, a member of the Manx Detectorist Society, said in a statement from Manx National Heritage. "Gold generally gives a very low signal on the detector, so you can't really predict what is going to be uncovered." The goldsmith who made the arm-ring about a millennium ago was clearly skilled, braiding eight gold rods together. Clucas found the ring folded in two, measuring about 1.5 inches (3.7 centimeters) wide and 3 inches (7.7 cm) long. It weighs nearly 1 ounce (27.3 grams), a "significant weight" for jewelry this size, according to the statement. On May 29, the Isle of Man Deputy Coroner of Inquests declared that the arm-ring was "treasure," a designation given to U.K. artifacts made of precious metals that are at least 300 years old. The arm-ring is the second piece of "Viking treasure" found by Clucas, who has been metal detecting for 50 years. Previously, he unearthed a silver ingot and a lead ingot, which he found in 2005. Related: 2,000-year-old spoon from Isle of Man may have been used in blood rituals for fortune telling The arm-ring, which dates to around A.D. 1000 to 1100, was likely used both as jewelry and as currency, according to Allison Fox, curator for archaeology at Manx National Heritage. "Jewellery items such as this had several functions in the Viking Age both as prized personal possessions and visible displays of wealth," Fox said in the statement. "They were easily portable and were also used to cover costs in financial transactions." Often, Viking Age transitions included hacksilver (also known as hacksilber), or pieces of silver that were weighed to calculate their worth for financial deals. On the Isle of Man, there was a dual economy of coins and bullion pieces of silver or gold. However, gold pieces are rarer from the Viking Age, making this intricate bracelet an uncommon find. RELATED STORIES —Viking Age 'treasure' discovered by metal detectorist on Isle of Man —Viking 'piggy bank' hoard discovered on Isle of Man —7 myths about the Vikings that are (almost) totally false The arm-ring has likely been cut twice, possibly from two different transactions, Fox noted. "One cut removed the terminal end of the arm-ring, the other one cut the original complete arm-ring almost in half," Fox said. "For reasons we will never know, this fragment of gold arm-ring was buried in the ground until discovered. It may have been hidden for safe-keeping, could just have been lost or may even have been buried as an offering to the Viking Gods." The arm-ring is now on display in the Manx Museum's Viking Gallery, alongside other Viking Age hoards of silver and gold.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fragment of Viking Age arm ring declared treasure
A "rare" 1,000-year-old gold arm ring discovered in a field by a metal detectorist and declared treasure at an inquest has been put on display for the first time. The fragment of jewellery, which is 1.4 inches (3.7cm) in length and weighs 1oz (27.26g), was unearthed by Ronald Clucas in spring 2025. Mr Clucas said, who has been metal detecting for 50 years, said he had previously found "some wonderful things", but the Viking Age find was "really something else". Manx National Heritage (MNH) curator of archaeology Allison Fox said the understanding of the island's "rich Viking legacy had been further enhanced by the discovery". The piece, which dates back to about between 1,000 and 1,100 AD, was originally created by plaiting eight strands of gold rods together. Ms Fox said such jewellery served as both "prized personal possessions and visible displays of wealth" during the period, which were also used for financial transactions. Ms Fox said the "beautiful find" had been cut twice, to remove the terminal end of the arm ring, with the other cutting the original complete piece almost in half. That suggested it had been used in transactions before being buried in the ground, possibly for safekeeping or "as an offering to the Viking Gods", she added. A member of the Manx Detectorist Society, Mr Clucas has previously unearthed a silver ingot and a lead ingot on the island in 2005. He said gold "generally gives a very low signal on the detector, so you can't really predict what is going to be uncovered". "It was quite a big shock to discover this lovely piece of gold, I couldn't really believe it at first," he added. The arm band has been put on display in the Viking Gallery at the Manx Museum in Douglas. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Viking age coins declared treasure go on display Viking coin 'savings account' declared treasure Viking age silver found by metal detectorist Detectorist's 'disbelief' at second Viking find Manx National Heritage
