Near 3,000-year-old gold treasure goes on display

Bronze age gold bracelets officially classed as treasure have gone on display to the public for the first time after being found by a metal detectorist.

The hoard of three bracelets from near Malmesbury, in Wiltshire, two of which have been rolled up and flattened, date to the late bronze age.

They have been acquired by Athelstan Museum in Malmesbury, which has them on display until February when they will be sent for conservation work.

Local historian and museum trustee Tony McAleavy said: "Not only are they beautiful objects, but they are important because they shed light on life in the Malmesbury area around 3,000 years ago."

The museum said the discovery "anchors" the town's timeline to 1150-800 BC.

The bracelets are made from beaten sheet gold and look like they could have been worn on different parts of the arm.

Two were deliberately flattened. It is not known exactly why, but it is possible it was a ritual for offerings to the gods.

Museum trustee Maria Marsh said she "almost can't put into words how excited I am", adding: "It's really fabulous".

Complimenting the skill of the maker, she added: "They are amazing objects and I'm not just talking about because they're blingy gold, which they are, but they speak to so much about the past and the Bronze Age."

Marsh said while there is conjecture about the area that long ago, gold was "rare and revered" then and the findings show there "could have been a thriving Bronze Age community around Malmesbury".

The bracelets will be sent for specialist cleaning, said Marsh, explaining: "They're gold, so they don't really get affected too much in the ground but they do have the detailing on them. The soil has gotten stuck in them so that needs to be professionally removed."

"Ancient gold is rather soft so we don't want to scratch it."

The museum was able to add them to the collection due to grants from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Art Fund and Malmesbury Carnival.

Leanne Manfredi, the V&A's national programmes lead, said the acquisition had come through the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

This is the programme run by the British Museum which metal detectorists can submit their finds to for analysis.

"Securing these remarkable objects for the museum's permanent collection will ensure they can be enjoyed by the public for generations to come, while providing valuable opportunities for research into their story and the wider prehistory of the region," said Manfredi.

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