It has recently been reported that two amateur metal detector enthusiasts struck gold whilst searching on a Staffordshire Moorlands farm. The two friends found four pieces of jewellery which are said to be from the Iron Age. The different pieces of jewellery were found scattered a meter apart from each other. The jewellery is now being called The Leekfirth Iron Age Torcs.

These items were more than likely to have been made in Europe. Historians believe the discovery is of significant importance internationally. The items were found in December 2016 however they have finally been put on display at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley. They will go on display from March 1 until March 22 before they are sent off to be formally valued.

Buried Treasure

The items have finally been declared as treasure. For the items to be declared as treasure they have to be older than 300 years old and contain more than 10% metal. The four torcs are said to be around 2500 years old. This means they can be dated back to between 400-250 BC. If this is correct then the torcs are possibly the earliest pieces of gold jewellery found in Britain.

The gold content of the jewellery is said to be approximately around 80%. A valuation of the items is yet to be given however because they are as old as they are, they will be worth a lot more. Experts have come up with some theories as to how the gold came to be in that field. One theory being that the field was considered a sacred spot and the gold was buried as an offering to the Gods. It is believed the torcs are a complete find and there is no further evidence of any more finds.

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Featured Image Credit : Staffordshire County Council
By StaffordshireCC – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link