Mooghaun North Hoard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mooghaun North Hoard |
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|---|---|
| Material | Gold |
| Created | 1150-750 BC |
| Present location | British Museum, London National Museum of Ireland, Dublin |
| Registration | 1857,0627.1-13 & WG.32 |
The Mooghaun North Hoard is a famous collection of gold items from the Bronze Age. It's also called the Great Clare Find. This amazing treasure was discovered in County Clare, Ireland, near a place called Mooghaun North. It was one of the biggest gold hoards ever found in Europe from that time! Sadly, most of the gold was melted down after it was found. The pieces that are left are now kept in two museums: the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin and the British Museum in London.
How the Hoard Was Found
In March 1854, something incredible happened! Workers were building the West Clare Railway near Newmarket-on-Fergus. They were moving a ditch near Mooghaun Lake when they accidentally found a hidden spot. Inside this spot was a huge amount of gold jewelry from the Bronze Age.
Unfortunately, most of these valuable gold objects were sold. The people who bought them melted them down for their gold value. Out of more than 150 gold items, only 29 survived! The British Museum bought some of its share of the find in 1857.
What Was in the Hoard?
When it was first found, the Mooghaun North Hoard was one of the largest Bronze Age treasures in Northern or Western Europe. It had over 150 gold objects. These included 138 bracelets, six neck collars, and two torcs (large, stiff necklaces). All together, the gold weighed more than 5 kilograms (about 11 pounds)!
Only 29 objects survived being melted down. Fifteen of these are in the National Museum of Ireland. The other 14 are in the British Museum. Most of the surviving pieces are crescent-shaped bracelets (23 of them) and six neck collars. Luckily, many pieces from the hoard were copied before they were destroyed.
Archaeologists are not sure why this gold treasure was buried in a stone chamber. It might have been hidden for safety during a difficult time. Or, it could have been a votive offering to the gods. This means it was given as a gift to please or thank them.
Recent studies show that much of the gold used to make these beautiful items came from the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Ireland.
