Latest news with #metalDetectorist
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Metal detectorist on Isle of Man ‘couldn't believe it' after discovering 1,000-year-old Viking gold treasure
A metal detectorist has uncovered a 1,000-year-old Viking gold braided arm ring on the Isle of Man, offering clues to skilled jewellery making from a millennium ago. The find, dating to 1000AD to 1100AD, adds to our understanding of the Isle of Man's rich Viking legacy, according to Manx National Heritage, a charitable trust dedicated to preserving the island's cultural history. The arm ring consists of eight strands of gold rods plaited together. It was found by an amateur metal detectorist named Ronald Clucas. 'It was quite a big shock to discover this lovely piece of gold. I couldn't really believe it at first!' Mr Clucas said. 'Gold generally gives a very low signal on the detector, so you can't really predict what's going to be uncovered.' Researchers suspect the arm band, weighing nearly 28grams, was made by a skilled goldsmith using a specialised technique. It was found folded in half, measuring about 4cm, meaning it would originally have been about 8cm long. 'I've been detecting for many years now and found some wonderful things, but to find a piece of gold from the Viking Age, that's really something else,' Mr Clucas said. The Isle of Man was a Viking trading hub and later, after the 9th century, a settlement. Previous research has shown the island had a dual economy where both coins and silver or gold bullion were used to pay for goods and services. Although Viking gold is much rarer than silver finds on the island, experts suspect the recently discovered gold braided arm band may have also been used as currency in financial transactions. 'Jewellery items such as this had several functions in the Viking Age both as prized personal possessions and visible displays of wealth. They were easily portable and were also used to cover costs in financial transactions,' said Allison Fox, curator for archaeology at Manx National Heritage. 'This arm ring has been cut twice, indicating it has possibly been used for at least two separate transactions. One cut removed the terminal end of the arm ring, the other one cut the original complete arm ring almost in half.' It is unclear why the fragment of the arm ring was buried in the ground. 'It may have been hidden for safekeeping, could just have been lost or may even have been buried as an offering to the Viking gods,' Ms Fox said. The Viking treasure has been on display in the Viking Gallery at the Manx Museum in Douglas since 31 May.
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Metal detectorist on Isle of Man ‘couldn't believe it' after discovering 1,000-year-old Viking gold treasure
A metal detectorist has uncovered a 1,000-year-old Viking gold braided arm ring on the Isle of Man, offering clues to skilled jewellery making from a millennium ago. The find, dating to 1000AD to 1100AD, adds to our understanding of the Isle of Man 's rich Viking legacy, according to Manx National Heritage, a charitable trust dedicated to preserving the island's cultural history. The arm ring consists of eight strands of gold rods plaited together. It was found by an amateur metal detectorist named Ronald Clucas. 'It was quite a big shock to discover this lovely piece of gold. I couldn't really believe it at first!' Mr Clucas said. 'Gold generally gives a very low signal on the detector, so you can't really predict what's going to be uncovered.' Researchers suspect the arm band, weighing nearly 28grams, was made by a skilled goldsmith using a specialised technique. It was found folded in half, measuring about 4cm, meaning it would originally have been about 8cm long. 'I've been detecting for many years now and found some wonderful things, but to find a piece of gold from the Viking Age, that's really something else,' Mr Clucas said. The Isle of Man was a Viking trading hub and later, after the 9th century, a settlement. Previous research has shown the island had a dual economy where both coins and silver or gold bullion were used to pay for goods and services. Although Viking gold is much rarer than silver finds on the island, experts suspect the recently discovered gold braided arm band may have also been used as currency in financial transactions. 'Jewellery items such as this had several functions in the Viking Age both as prized personal possessions and visible displays of wealth. They were easily portable and were also used to cover costs in financial transactions,' said Allison Fox, curator for archaeology at Manx National Heritage. 'This arm ring has been cut twice, indicating it has possibly been used for at least two separate transactions. One cut removed the terminal end of the arm ring, the other one cut the original complete arm ring almost in half.' It is unclear why the fragment of the arm ring was buried in the ground. 'It may have been hidden for safekeeping, could just have been lost or may even have been buried as an offering to the Viking gods,' Ms Fox said. The Viking treasure has been on display in the Viking Gallery at the Manx Museum in Douglas since 31 May.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
1,500-year-old pendant discovered in secret Norfolk location
A piece of early medieval jewellery that laid buried for almost 1,500 years has been declared an official treasure. Discovered by a metal detectorist, the 7th-century oval pendant consisting of gold and a cabochon garnet was found in north Norfolk during October last year. A treasure inquest held at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard that the piece is 'relatively small but beautifully made'. A gold and garnet pendant found in north Norfolk last year (Image: Norfolk County Council) Made sometime between c600AD and c700AD, it is an example of a well-known pendant type of that era. Its inspiration comes from Hellenistic jewellery, which is said to have a very classical, restrained appearance. The Hellenistic period, spanning from 323 BC to 30 BC, marked a significant era in ancient history and was characterised by the spread of Greek culture across a vast empire established by Alexander the Great. The pendant itself is constructed on a gold backplate, which has a border of thick beaded wire, flanked by a pair of slim plain wires, around the edge. The beading has been made with a swage or "beading file" - a tool which probably had a single groove flanked by teeth. On the reverse, the backplate is dented and hollowed in the centre. The gem is a very neatly shaped and highly polished cabochon which, although very dark, appears reddish. Dr Helen Geake (Image: Newsquest) A report from archaeologist Helen Geake, the county's finds liaison officer, was read to the court, based at County Hall in Norwich. In it, Dr Geake said the gem was 'probably a garnet'. It total, the piece weighs 1.90g, which is around the same weight of a pomegranate. The latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show there were 132 treasure finds declared to coroners in 2024 in Norfolk. This was more than the year before, when there were 95.
