Ancient gold artefacts uncovered in north Wales
Two gold artefacts thought to be around 3,000 years old have been found near Wrexham.
Gold
The treasure was found near Wrexham and date to around 1000BC. Credit: Amgueddfa Cymru
The Late Bronze Age hoard of two 'lock' gold rings were discovered in the Community of Rosset. The wearer would've been a person of wealth and status within Late Bronze Age Society, between 10000 and 800BC.
In terms of their use, archaeologists aren't certain whether they were used as ear-rings or worn to gather locks of hair, as the name suggests.
In Wales, lock-rings have previously been found at Gaerwen, Anglesey, the Great Orme, Conwy and Newport, Pembrokeshire.
This largely coastal pattern hints at possible trading and communication links between Late Bronze Age communities living in Wales and Ireland.
Gold
It's unclear whether the lock-rings were worn as ear-rings or to gather hair. Credit: Amgueddfa Cymru
“North-east Wales was a hotspot for the use and burial of gold ornaments during the Bronze Age. These small but exquisitely made lock-rings add further to this growing pattern, suggesting long lived connections with communities living in Ireland and other parts of Atlantic Europe...We think that these complete and prized objects of gold were carefully buried in isolated places as gifts to the gods, perhaps at the end of the lives of their owners.”
– Adam Gwilt, Principal Curator for Prehistory at Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
The lock-ring pair will be acquired by Wrexham County Borough Museum and Archives following their independent valuation.
Last updated Thu 26 Mar 2015
http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2015-03-26/ancient-gold-artefacts-uncovered-in-north-wales/