Is This a Bronze Age Scrunchie?

A tiny, golden enigma is the latest addition to the treasures on display at Totnes Museum.

The penannular ring was found in a field in Harberton last year by a metal detectorist. Both the finder and the landowner want to remain anonymous.

far too difficult to move!

The  Bronze Age discovery has been declared as treasure by the Coroner and museum trustee Kate Wilson asked if it could have a new home here.  “The finds liaison officer based at Exeter museum brought it here in a plastic pot,” she said. “It sits in the museum, tiny and shiny.”

The question now is – what was it used for?

Kate said it’s likely to be a hair ornament. It’s gold plated copper and today worth around £500.  The expert documentation of the find says these rings are characteristic finds of the Middle to Late Bronze Age (1300 – 800 BC) and have been termed “hair ring”, but their function remains uncertain.

Kate said 160 have been found in Europe and the Totnes example will soon have its five minutes of TV fame on the Antiques Roadshow, where Kate showed it to Fiona Bruce.  The producers of the show had contacted the museum asking if it had anything to bring along.  “They wanted a long case clock but I said it was far too difficult to move!  They got the ring instead.”

The museum, which settled in the merchant’s house in 1961,  has attics full of acquisitions which are slowly being sorted.  “We started in Attic Four and have organised 117 boxes of stuff – Attic Three fills me with trepidation.”

Among the items Kate and her team of volunteers have found are multiple Christening gowns.

The museum is always keen to hear from people who want to get involved.

Have a look at  Totnesmuseum.org  for more information.