File:Bronze Age Hoard (FindID 189967).jpg

English: A hoard of nineteen incomplete and fragmentary gold items of Middle Bronze Age date: 1. Bar torc (part) of triangular cross section, with simple hooked terminal. It is roughly and loosely coiled and irregularly twisted. The torc was originally untwisted and penannular in shape, the twisting and distortion to its shape occurred at the time of coiling, probably shortly before final deposition. Length 560mm. Triangular cross section, sides 3.9mm. Weight 53.92g. NB - 6 is part of this torc giving a total length (circumference) of 700mm (equivalent to a diameter of c. 223mm) and weight of 66.65g 2. Bar torc (part) of triangular cross section, with simple hooked terminal of round cross section. It is roughly loosely coiled and irregularly twisted. The torc was originally untwisted and penannular in shape, the twisting and distortion to its shape occurred at the time of coiling, probably shortly before deposition. A 22mm length at the broken end of the torc has been bent to the point of creating a near fracture. This is probably part of torc 4, however, neither has a clean break at the fractured end as both have apparently been cut. Length 505mm. Triangular cross section, sides 2.7mm. Weight 30.51g If 2 and 4 are from the same torc it originally had a length (circumference) of at least 665mm (equivalent to a diameter of c. 212mm) and weight of 38.82g 3. Bar torc of triangular cross section, with simple hooked terminals of round cross section. It was roughly coiled prior to deposition. There may originally have been some irregular twisting to the torc. Length (circumference) 540mm, equivalent to a diameter of c. 172mm. Triangular cross section, sides 2.7mm. Weight 39.77g. 4. Bar torc (part) of triangular cross section with simple hooked terminal of round cross section. Length 160mm. Triangular cross section, sides 2.6mm. Weight 8.31g. NB - this is probably part of torc 2. 5. Bar torc of triangular cross section, with simple hooked terminals of round cross section. It was tightly coiled and the coils flattened prior to deposition. The torc was originally untwisted. Length (circumference) 720mm, equivalent to a diameter of c.230mm. Triangular cross section, sides 2.2mm. Weight 26.14g. 6. Bar torc (part) of triangular cross section, with simple hooked terminal. Length 140mm. Triangular cross section, sides 3.9mm. Weight 12.73g. NB - this is part of torc 1. 7. Penannular bar bracelet of triangular cross section with plain terminals. The slight twisting is probably secondary. Length 180mm. Triangular cross section, sides 4.0mm. Weight 23.46g 8.Ribbon torc with simple hooked terminals, loosely twisted. It was coiled prior to deposition. Length 340mm. Strip 5.7 x 0.5mm. Weight 32.27g. 9.Penannular bar bracelet of rectangular cross section with simple, slightly tapering and rounded terminals. Length 180mm. Rectangular cross section 6.8 x 1.9mm. Weight 31.34g. 10. Doubled and hooked ribbon bracelet. The point at which the ribbon is doubled its width tapers and a loop is formed to receive the hooks. The hooks themselves are simple and taper to points. Although now distorted the ribbon was originally untwisted. Length 360mm. Strip 4.6 x 0.3mm. Weight 6.87g. 11. As 10. Length 400mm. Strip 4.7 x 0.3mm. Weight 6.99g. 12. As 10. Length 360mm. Strip 5.6 x 0.3mm. Weight 7.35g. 13. Doubled and hooked bar bracelet of round cross section. A loop is formed at the point the bracelet is doubled to receive the hooks, which are simple and tapering. The bracelet is loosely coiled (secondary). Length 420mm. Diameter of bar 1.9mm. Weight 20.90g. 14. As 13 but the coiling is tight. Length 420mm. Diameter of bar 2.0mm. Weight 19.62g. 15. As 14. Length 450mm. Diameter of bar 2.1mm. Weight 30.12g. 16. As 14. Length 420mm. Diameter of bar 2.1mm. Weight 21.74g. 17. As 14. Length 350mm .Diameter of bar 2.4mm. Weight 27.89g. 18. Small D-shaped penannular bar, purpose uncertain. Length 15mm. Rectangular cross section 1.3 x 1.1mm. Weight 0.35g. 19. As 18. Length 2.2mm. Rectangular cross section 1.5 x 0.9mm. Weight 0.44g In summary, the 19 pieces of gold comprising this hoard probably constitute 17 objects: 4 bar torcs of triangular cross section (1-6) 1 ribbon torc (8) 1 penannular bar bracelet of triangular cross section (7) 1 penannular bar bracelet of rectangular cross section (9) 3 doubled and hooked ribbon bracelets (10-12) 5 doubled and hooked bar bracelets of round cross section (13-17) 2 small D-shaped penannular bars. They have a combined weight of 400.72g Whilst there are a number of unusual types within the hoard, notably the doubled and hooked bracelets, the find can be securely dated to the Middle Bronze Age, circa 13th-12th century BC. All pieces were subjected to distortion to a greater or lesser extent prior to the hoard's deposition. Whilst two triangular section bar torcs are broken into two pieces the remainder of the objects do not show significant signs of wear or damage prior to the act of distortion. The reason for this intentional damage and the hoard's deposition is uncertain. When discovered, the 19 pieces comprising the hoard are described as having been in a 'tight ball'. The finder subsequently separated them. The precious metal content of Bronze Age gold fulfils the requirement of the Treasure Act in that it is greater than 10% (Stephen Minnitt, Acting Head of Museums, Somerset County Council Museums Service).