Mastery Unveiled: Artifacts from the Golden Field Have Led to an Unexpected Discovery (Photo)

Fragments of a copper alloy discovered at an archaeological site in Norfolk have been identified as parts of a rare Iron Age helmet. This finding unveils new details about ancient crafts and traditions in Britain, writes Arkeonews.

The British Museum, in collaboration with the Norwich Castle Museum, made this discovery as part of a 15-year research project investigating 14 treasures of gold, silver, and bronze torcs found in Snettisham. The torcs, rigid metal rings often worn as ornaments, were unearthed between 1948 and the 1990s.

Located near Hunstanton, this site has been dubbed the "golden field" due to the abundance of artifacts made from precious metals, collectively known as the "Snettisham Treasure." These finds, spanning the late Iron Age and early Roman period, represent one of the most significant collections of Celtic art and prehistoric treasures ever recorded.

Among the discoveries is a helmet, one of about ten known from Iron Age Britain. Dr. Julia Farley, curator of the Iron Age exhibition at the British Museum, noted the rarity and uniqueness of this artifact.

Crafted from thin sheet bronze, it features a nasal and decorative eyebrow arches—details that showcase the exceptional skills of the craftsmen. "We didn't know that such a level of craftsmanship could be achieved in Britain 2,000 years ago," Farley remarked.

The research also revealed that Iron Age artisans employed mercury gilding—a complex technique that utilized a mercury-gold amalgam to coat bronze items in gold. This method was found on the helmet and torcs, indicating advanced techniques used by the masters.

The helmet fragments, once thought to be part of a vessel, were meticulously reconstructed by conservator Fleur Shierman. Dr. Jodie Joy, the project's lead researcher, suggested that the helmet was likely incomplete when it was buried and may have held personal or sentimental value.

At Snettisham, at least 14 treasures were excavated, containing nearly 400 torcs of various sizes, some of which served as necklaces, armlets, or bracelets. Among these treasures is the Great Snettisham Torc, a masterpiece of ancient goldsmithing. Modern analysis, including electron microscopy, revealed signs of wear on the artifacts, indicating they were regularly worn by men, women, and even children.

Dr. Farley noted that the torcs held profound cultural significance and were likely kept as unique personal items rather than melted down for coins. She suggested that their burial could have been part of ritual practices aimed at uniting communities.

We also reported how the archaeologists' discovery rewrote the history of the city of Adrianople.