Bronze Age gold ribbon found in Cornwall

The Bronze Age ribbon was discovered by a metal detectorist in September 2023
-Credit: (Image: British Museum's Portable Antiquities scheme)


A Bronze Age gold ribbon discovered by a metal detectorist in Cornwall could be as old as the third or second millennium BC, a treasure inquest has been told. The gold ribbon was discovered by Chris McLoughlin on cultivated land about one centimetre below the surface.

It was found in the former Kerrier district on September 4, 2023. The Kerrier district stretches from Hayle to Camborne and Redruth and the Lizard Peninsula.

The inquest held in Truro on Thursday, September 12 was told how the piece was typical of the era thanks to comparison with other finds registered with the British Museum's Portable Antiquity Scheme from Wiltshire, Shropshire or Norfolk. It was dated to the late third millennium BC or early second millennium.

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In her curator's report, Cornwall's finds liaison officer Laura Miucci, said the gold ribbon was a small sheet of ribbed gold once folded into a cylinder but flattened. The piece has an incise along its length.

Ms Miucci said the ribbon had a decorative ridge design and was probably complete. The item measures 13mm in length, 7,5mm in width and 0.23mm thick and weighs 0.68g.

Guy Davies, assistant coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said the Museum of Cornish Life in Helston had indicated being interested in purchasing the item. The gold ribbon was declared treasure because it is more than 300 years old and contains more than 10 per cent precious metal.

In Cornwall, all treasures belong to the Duchy of Cornwall as a franchisee of the Crown unless disclaimed by the Crown.

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