Last September, an amateur treasure hunter made an amazing
discovery when he unearthed four gold neck ornaments (torcs) in a
field near Stirling. These torcs are a discovery of European
significance, and show the wealth, power and connections of people
during the Iron Age (c. 300-100 BC).
Amazing find
Two are made from twisted gold ribbons – a typical Scottish and
Irish style. The others are more exotic. The two fragments come
from a highly decorated tube-like torc from south-west France. This
shows the long-distance links available to powerful people. Did
someone travel to France, bringing back this rare and exotic
object? Or did it pass as a gift from one influential group to
another?
The fourth torc is unique. Its shape is typical of the Iron Age
in northern and western Europe, but the craft skills are not –
someone trained in the Greek or Roman world made it. What brought
this unique torc – or its exotic maker – to Scotland?
Click on the images below to see each torc in more detail.
Beginner’s luck
The torcs were found by David Booth on his first outing with a
metal-detector – only seven steps from his car! He immediately
reported them to the Treasure Trove Unit. The law of Treasure Trove
ensures that our cultural heritage is preserved for everyone to
enjoy. Under Scots Law, all such archaeological finds belong to the
Crown. They are allocated by an independent system to an
appropriate museum, and the finder rewarded.
Further excavations
Archaeologists from the museum excavated the findspot. They
discovered the hoard was buried inside a large circular wooden
building in an isolated, boggy area. Were the torcs buried for
safe-keeping – or as a religious offering? Was this a shrine in a
sacred, watery spot? This exciting find has lots still to
reveal.
The hoard was buried inside a circular timber
building. Here its foundations have been excavated. The findspot is
marked by the orange bucket.
The torcs on display
The torcs are being displayed at the National Museum of Scotland
thanks to the support of the Crown Office and the Treasure Trove
Unit.
