Towton torcs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Towton torcs |
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The second of the two torcs discovered.
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| Material | Gold, silver, and copper |
| Period/culture | Iron Age Britain |
| Discovered | 2010 and 2011 Towton, North Yorkshire |
| Present location | Yorkshire Museum, York |
| Identification | SWYOR-CFE7F7 |
The Towton torcs are a pair of amazing gold bracelets from the British Iron Age. They were found near Towton, in North Yorkshire, England. These special bracelets are very old, dating back to a time long before phones or cars existed! A torc is a stiff neck-ring or arm-ring, usually made from twisted metal. People wore them as jewelry or as a sign of their importance.
Contents
Discovering Ancient Treasures
How Were the Torcs Found?
These two ancient torcs were found by people using metal detectors. A metal detector is a special tool that can find metal objects hidden underground. The first torc was discovered in 2010, and the second one was found in 2011. Both were found in a stream, which is a small river, near Towton. Imagine finding such old and valuable items just lying there!
What Do the Torcs Look Like?
Both torcs are made mostly of gold, mixed with other metals like silver and copper. This mix is called an "alloy." They are shaped from twisted metal wires. Each torc has loops at its ends, which would have helped to fasten them.
The first torc found was made from two twisted strands of wire. The second torc was even more complex, made from four twisted strands. The first torc is about 75.1 millimetres (2.96 in) wide. It weighs 67.7 grams, which is about the same as a small chocolate bar. Scientists studied its metal content. They found it was 80-84% gold, 12-14% silver, and at least 4% copper.
Bringing the Torcs Home
Where Can You See Them Now?
When valuable items like the Towton torcs are found in England, they are often declared as "treasure." This is part of a law called the Treasure Act 1996. This law helps make sure important historical items are kept safe for everyone to see.
After the torcs were declared treasure, the Yorkshire Museum wanted to buy them. They needed to raise £60,000 to do this. The museum asked the public for help, and many people donated money. Thanks to this public support, the museum was able to buy the torcs in November 2013. Now, you can visit the Yorkshire Museum in York to see these incredible ancient bracelets!
