Late Bronze Age bracelets at West Hanningfield (EHER 5562)

Two penannular Late Bronze Age gold bracelets were found at West Hanningfield in 1975.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Two gold bracelets found, on separate occasions in early 1975, during ploughing of the same field. Both found in derived contexts. No precise location. Both were damaged, apparently from ploughing. One had irregular decoration of two incised semi-circles and a single arc, was apparently cast though damage prevented certainty. The decoration was apparently original though crossed by fresh scratches. The other bracelet was comparable but undecorated. The most likely date range is 900BC to 600BC. Comparable, though not identical, pieces have been found throughout the British Isles. A number have been dated by hoard association. These bracelets have oval sections, which is rare. The decoration could not be matched, though the technique is normal. The similarities between the two bracelets suggests that originally they were associated. Gold at this date is not found in graves in the country, rather in hoards. In fact, the objects are about 80% gold, 15% silver, 5% copper. The finds were eventually placed in Chelmsford Museum, via the British Museum. <1> - <6> Pronounced treasure trove at inquest in Chelmsford in 1976. Reward raised by Chelmsford Museum. <7>