A metal detectorist has found a 1,000-year-old piece of gold Viking jewellery which sheds new light on the island’s history.
Ronald Clucas discovered the gold in spring this year, and it has now been declared Treasure by the Isle of Man’s Deputy Coroner of Inquests.
The rare fragment of a Viking arm-ring, dating to around AD 1000-1100, was crafted by plaiting eight strands of gold rods together. Folded in two when found, it measures 3.7cm in length and weighs 27.26g.
“It was quite a big shock to discover this lovely piece of gold,” said Clucas, a member of the Manx Detectorist Society. “I couldn’t really believe it at first!”
Allison Fox, Curator for Archaeology at Manx National Heritage, said: “Jewellery like this served as both personal adornment and currency in the Viking Age.
“The cuts on the arm-ring suggest it was used in transactions before being buried—possibly for safekeeping or as an offering.”
MNH said: “Created by plaiting eight strands of gold rods together, the arm-ring was made by a highly skilled goldsmith using a specialised technique.
“The piece was found folded in two and is around 3.7cm in length, although would have originally been around 7.7cm in length. The fragment weighs 27.26g, a significant weight for a fragment of jewellery of it’s size.”
The find coincides with Clucas’s 50th year of metal detecting. The artefact will go on display at the Manx Museum’s Viking Gallery from May 31.
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