Dimensions: Fragment with terminal: Maximum width 89mm; Weight 35.67g. Twisted wire fragment: Maximum width 74mm; Weight 22.63g. Metal content: Examination of the surface of the two sections of twisted wire indicated a similar composition for both parts, with a gold content of 55-60%, silver content of 39-43%, the remainder being copper.

Two sections of a gold/silver alloy twisted wire. The first section has a simple looped terminal ring at one end. Both pieces are of the same construction; two wires twisted together. Both sections look to be bent out of shape. The section with the terminal loop forms a semi-circle. The other section has been bent towards one end, creating two sides of a triangle. One of the twisted wires is broken at the point of this bend.

The finder stated that the two sections were attached when he found the object, which was accidentally broken some time after the discovery. This is confirmed by examination of the ends of these strands which indicates that the break on the strand with the terminal loop is fresh. One end of the other strand also shows signs of recent breakage. Although these two ends cannot be easily re-fitted, this could be due to differential distortion of the wires during breakage.

The other end of the strand without a terminal loop looks to have been deliberately broken as the ends of each wire are crimped.

Discussion: Non-destructive analysis of the surface of two sections of twisted wire indicated a similar metal composition. This confirms the finder's assertion that the two sections were originally attached. The twisted wire sections were originally part of a torc. The terminal is of simple loop form. When complete, this object would have had two such terminals. This form of torc is a well-known type, dating to the later Iron Age (around 200-50BC). Similar examples, made from copper-alloy, have been discovered at Snettisham, northwest Norfolk. A small number of torcs have also been discovered in nearby Staffordshire, indicating that there was a regional tradition of depositing torcs in the region.

The separation of the two strands is the result of damage which occurred after the discovery of the torc. The other end of the strand without a loop looks as though it was deliberately broken, using a tool which crimped the ends of the wires. Discoloration and wear may indicate that this break occurred much earlier, possibly before the object entered the ground. This most likely occurred in antiquity, perhaps the other terminal loop, which is missing, was removed before the object was deposited. Torcs found at Snettisham were sometimes broken before they were deposited.

There is also evidence for enrichment of the gold at the surface of the metal. Evidence for surface enrichment has also been discovered on other Iron Age torcs.

Conclusion: These two strands represent the remains of an example of a well known Iron Age object type: a simple twisted torc with single loop terminals. As such they are more than 300 years old. Analysis of the metal they are made of show that they are more than 10% gold or silver. These objects therefore qualify as treasure.

Jody Joy, Curator of Iron Age Collections, British Museum

12th January 2009

The internal diameter of the looped terminal is 7.5mm; its external diameter is 13.1mm, and it has a maximum thickness of 3.5mm opposite the twisted wire.