File:Bronze Age lock ring (FindID 506720).jpg

<a href="#_ftnref1" title="">[1]</a> Later Prehistorian, Department of Archaeology & Numismatics, Amgueedfa Cymru - National Museum Wales

<a href="#_ftnref2" title="">[2]</a> Analytical Researcher and Archaeological Conservator, Department of Archaeology & Numismatics, Amgueeddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales

<a href="#_ftnref3" title="">[3]</a> Finds Liaison Officer for Cheshire, Greater Manchester & Merseyside, Portable Antiquities Scheme

A second Late Bronze Age gold lock-ring from Rossett, Wrexham

Description (AG & MD)

Dimensions: maximum length (front to back, as crushed) 38.0mm; maximum width (side to side, as crushed) 34.5mm; maximum thickness (as crushed) 12.5mm; weight 8.9g.

This is a gold lock-ring with an estimated original diameter of 35-37mm. Though complete, it has been crushed and significantly distorted, with one side and terminal folded over. The ring is penannular and would originally have been near circular in shape, with a three dimensional and biconical shape and a triangular shaped cross-section.

The artefact is complex in construction and carefully made. Two circular and decorated face-plates join at the external circumference. A circular-sectioned wire appears to have been fused to the plate join to form an outer rim-binding. The lock-ring plates are both decorated with narrow and concentric ring furrows incised into the surfaces and parallel with the circular edges of the face plates.

A central circular opening to the ring - probably once approximately 15mm in diameter - is lined by a third sheet. In effect, this creates an interior but discontinuous tube, with a gap in the vertical plane for the terminal aperture. The top and bottom margins of the tube were folded over the interior rim of the two face plates, giving the ring some structural cohesion. It would appear that the triangular end faces at the terminals were once integral extensions to the interior tube.

The face plates of the lock-ring are considerably creased and misshapen and at one point of tight creasing in the interior tube there is a small tear in the sheet. On one face, where the face plate has crumpled upwards, there is a localised area of damage, the concentric circle decoration being damaged through surface scarring. In places modern striations are evident. The crumpling of the artefact has meant there is little soil caught within the interior cavity. The gold has a deep yellow colour, consistent with additions of small proportions of copper to the alloy.

Metallurgical analysis (MD)

Method

Semi-quantitative surface analysis of the gold was undertaken using a Bruker TRACeR III-SD hand-held X-ray fluorescent spectrometer (HHXRF) with a rhodium tube, and a titanium/aluminium filter. Several readings were taken at 40 kV and 9.6 μA for 100 live seconds and quantified with the use of empirical calibrations.

Results

The average composition of the gold in three different areas on the surface of the lock-ring was:-

gold 79.3%; silver 15.6%; copper 4.6%.

For comparison, the first discovered lock-ring (Case 12.16) was tested in exactly the same way giving an average composition of:-

gold 78.9%; silver 15.1%; copper 4.7%

(see also readings of gold 80-81%; silver 14% and copper 5% presented within Treasure report 12.16 for the first discovered lock-ring).

Comment

These sets of readings are all closely consistent and within an acceptable margin of error for semi-quantitative surface analysis. They suggest that both lock-rings were composed of gold with virtually the same metallic composition.

The copper and silver contents match with gold compositions from other Middle and Late Bronze Age artefacts in Ireland and Wales, although the copper content is towards the lower end of the expected range for Late Bronze Age gold (e.g. Hartmann 1980, 158, Figs .12 & 36; Davis 2005, 36 & Fig. 4).

Comparison of lock-ring (13.06) with earlier reported lock-ring in immediate vicinity (Case 12.16 - Wales) (AG)

Visual inspection of lock-ring 13.06 with previously reported lock-ring 12.16 confirms a high degree of similarity in size, weight, construction and decoration, consistent with them having originally been buried together as a pair. Inevitably, estimates of original dimensions can be approximate only and slight variations are to be expected. The first reported lock-ring (12.16) was estimated to have an original diameter of 34-36mm, a central opening of 10-11mm and weighed 8.4g. Recent comparison of the two lock-rings now warrants a slight revision of the approximate diameter of the central opening of this first lock-ring to approximately 15mm, while the total width of each face plate on this lock-ring, including the width of the external diameter wire binding and the width of the interior tube is approximately 12.2mm. The second lock-ring discovery, reported here (13.06), has an estimated diameter of 35-37mm, a central opening of approximately 15mm, a total width of each face plate being 12.2mm and a weight of 8.9g. Both are constructed in the same way (i.e. round-sectioned wire rim-binding, internal tube bent around face-plates, integral side plates fused to face plates, decorated faces) with extremely similar metallurgical compositions (see above). The slightly lighter weight of lock-ring 12.16, weighing 0.5g less than lock-ring 13.06, is marginal and could be accounted for through very slightly different face plate and internal tube sheet thicknesses. Visually and to all intents and purposes, the pair of lock-rings look the same and can confidently be regarded as a matching pair.

Identification & Discussion (AG)

This can be identified as a lock-ring, a distinct class of personal ornament belonging to the Late Bronze Age (Eogan 1969; 1983; 1994; Taylor 1980; Lynch 1991; Northover 1995; Gwilt et al 2005; Needham et al 2007). The artefacts associated with similar lock-rings in hoards across Britain, Ireland and France indicate a secure dating to the Ewart Park phase (Dowris phase in Ireland) of the Late Bronze Age (1000-800BC) (Eogan 1969, 106-7, 130-46; Cowie et al 1991; Northover 1995, 525-9; Needham et al 2008, 43). Recently, a radiocarbon date has been obtained from a sample directly associated with a large hoard of bronze artefacts and six gold lock-rings from near Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland. The sample of wood, surviving within the haft of a socketed axe, provided a date of 2771+-26BP, calibrating to 1000-840BC at 2 sigma (Needham et al 2007, 400; 2008, 43), confirming the above attribution.

The intricate technique and quality of workmanship indicated in the making of lock-rings has long been commented upon, despite their small size (e.g. Eogan 1969, 93). Their precise function as personal ornaments remains uncertain (e.g. Taylor 1980, 68-9). For some, they are interpreted as ear-rings (e.g. Armstrong 1917, 29; Savory 1958, 14), the frequency of their occurrence in pairs (as in this particular instance) being used as supporting evidence. Many would now see them instead as used for gathering the hair, hence their name lock-rings (Raftery 1967; Eogan 1969, 95-6; Lynch 1991, 239-41). What is generally agreed, is that they denoted wealth and high-status within Late Bronze Age society.

This is the sixth occasion that a lock-ring has been found and reported in Wales, though they have been discovered at just four different locations. In total, around 75 examples are now known from Britain, Ireland and France (Eogan 1994, 89; Needham et al 2007). In Britain, the find-spots currently concentrate in three zones: firstly, south-western Ireland; secondly, north and west Wales, Northern England and Southern Scotland and thirdly, East Anglia and south eastern England (Eogan 1969, 97, Fig. 2; 1994, 100, Fig. 41). Their absence to date in the Midlands, mid and south Wales and south western England, with the single exception of one example from Somerset is marked and probably significant.

On the basis of the available evidence, it is probable that these two lock-rings were disturbed from their original burial context during post-medieval times. Their location approximately 7-8 metres from a drain, perhaps of seventeenth to eighteenth century date, suggests the possibility of these artefacts having been disturbed at the time of the drain's construction. It is possible that it was cast up as ditch overburden and then re-deposited at some depth beside the ditch. Alternatively, the artefact pair may have been exposed and disturbed during a more recent ditch re-dredging and re-defining event, similarly cast up as ditch overburden. The consistent but short distance of the two lock-rings from the drain and in parallel with it add some strength to these possibilities.

Recommendation (AG)

It has been established that lock-ring 13.06 and lock-ring 12.16 are both of Late Bronze Age date and 2800-3000 years old (i.e. over 300 years old), on the basis of close stylistic parallels, hoard associations and radiocarbon dating evidence. They have been shown to be closely similar in all attributes and probably buried together as a pair and as a small hoard association, later disturbed and slightly dispersed through probably drain digging activity. In addition, non-destructive and semi-quantitative metallurgical analysis of these artefacts has indicated they are made of gold with a closely similar composition of approximately 78.9-81% gold, 14-15.6% silver and 4.6-5% copper. Therefore, they are demonstrably made of metal with over 10% precious metal content. It is therefore recommended that this artefact can be considered treasure in relation to the Treasure Act 1996 and the Treasure (Designation) Order of 2002 (please refer to DCMS 2002, Paragraphs. C. I. 6 & 8; Paragraph CII.14).

Adam Gwilt<a href="#_ftn1" title="">[1]</a>, Mary Davis<a href="#_ftn2" title="">[2]</a> & Elizabeth Stewart<a href="#_ftn3" title="">[3]</a>