Ronald Clucas has been metal detecting for 50 years and recently made his most significant discovery: a Viking armband made from eight gold rods woven into an intricate pattern.
Isle of Man National HeritageRonald Clucas (left) has been metal detecting for 50 years.
This armband was made by weaving eight gold rods together, a specialized technique used by a highly skilled blacksmith. The piece found by Clucas was folded in half, measuring 1.4 inches long, meaning it was originally about three inches long. It weighed just under an ounce, which is quite heavy for its size.
In an interview with Manx National Heritage, Clucas said the discovery came as a “massive shock”.
“I couldn’t believe it at first!” said Klukas. “Gold usually gives off a very weak signal on a detector, so you can’t predict what you’re going to find. I’ve been prospecting for years and have found some amazing things, but finding a piece of Viking Age gold was a whole different story.”
The discovery sheds light on the history of the Vikings on the Isle of Man, showing how the diverse economy of this society functioned. As National Heritage explained, during the Viking Age on the Isle of Man, both coins and bullion (silver and/or gold) were used as currency for trade. Thus, jewellery such as this armband had multiple functions.
“Jewellery items like this served many functions in the Viking Age, serving as valuable personal effects and visible displays of wealth,” said Allison Fox, curator of archaeology at the Manx National Heritage Museum. “They were easy to carry and were also used to cover the costs of financial transactions.”
Viking gold is much rarer than silver from the same period.
“This bracelet was cut twice, indicating that it was likely used in at least two separate transactions,” Fox said. “One cut removed the end of the bracelet, and the other split the original bracelet nearly in half.”
The use of the bandage in numerous transactions prior to its ceremonial burial.
Sourse: www.allthatsinteresting.com
