Snettisham Hoard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Snettisham Hoard |
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The Hoard in the British Museum
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| Material | Gold |
| Created | 70 BC |
| Discovered | Snettisham in 1948–73 |
| Present location | |
The Snettisham Hoard is a collection of amazing ancient treasures. These precious metal objects were found in the area of Snettisham in Norfolk, England. They were discovered between 1948 and 1973. This hoard gives us a peek into the lives of people from the Iron Age.
Contents
What is the Snettisham Hoard?
The Snettisham Hoard is a large collection of valuable items. It includes pieces made from metal, a dark stone called jet, and over 150 parts of special necklaces called torcs. More than 70 of these torc pieces are complete necklaces. These treasures are very old, dating back to about 70 BC.
Famous Torcs and Their Secrets
The most famous item from the hoard is the Great Torc from Snettisham. It is a beautiful, twisted gold necklace. You can see it today at the British Museum in London. Experts believe these torcs were so well made that they might have belonged to royalty. Perhaps they were owned by the Iceni, an ancient British tribe.
Scientists at the British Museum have studied the torcs closely. They used special tools to look at how the metal wore down over time. They also studied what the metal was made of. Some torcs were found in pieces. This might mean they were broken on purpose. One idea is that people broke these valuable items as special gifts to their gods. This kind of gift is called a votive offering.
Where to See the Hoard
Parts of the Snettisham Hoard are kept in two museums. You can see some pieces at the Norwich Castle Museum. Other parts, like the Great Torc, are at the British Museum. In 2003, experts from the British Museum chose the Snettisham Hoard as one of Britain's top archaeological finds. It was featured in a BBC Television show called Our Top Ten Treasures.
Other Similar Treasures
The Snettisham Hoard is not the only discovery of its kind. Other similar torcs have been found in England. These include the Sedgeford Torc, found in 1965. The Newark Torc was discovered in 2005. Also, six torcs were found together in the Ipswich Hoard between 1968 and 1969.
Later Discoveries: The Jeweller's Hoard
In 1985, another interesting discovery was made nearby. This was the Snettisham Jeweller's Hoard. It contained Romano-British jewellery and raw materials. These items were buried in a clay pot around AD 155. This later hoard is not directly connected to the older Iron Age finds. However, it might show that people in the Snettisham area had a long history of working with gold and silver.
