[Image copyright Portable Antiquities Scheme] The triangular gold mount, found near Fakenham, is less that an inch in width and length
Posted on 02/16/2016 9:10:41 PM PST by SunkenCiv
A "mystery" gold mount found in a Norfolk field has provided "another piece of the jigsaw" for historians looking for Anglo-Saxon settlements.
The item was found near Fakenham and is possibly from a sword grip, but experts say it has differences to similar finds.
Dr Andrew Rogerson, county archaeologist, said: "It's a fragment, but there's no context for it."
No evidence of dwellings has ever been found in the village.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme, which is in the process of valuing the item, said it was "similar to sword-grip mounts from the Sutton Hoo ship burial and the Staffordshire Hoard".
But because the mount, which dates back to the late 6th or early 7th Centuries, lacks "small perforations for attachment", its "precise function... is not clear". The Norfolk coroner will hold an inquest in March to decide if it should be recorded as a treasure find. 'High status'
Dr Rogerson, who works at the county's Historic Environment Service in Gressenhall, said four other items, including a brooch and a belt mount, had been discovered in the area in recent years...
"This is a high-status item, not unlike pieces found at the Staffordshire Hoard, and it's another piece of the jigsaw as we slowly find out more about settlements across East Anglia.
"The chances of there not being people living there and working the land are remote, but there would need to be a huge survey looking for a settlement to fully understand the land-use in the area."
The mount was found by Barrie Placsom, 70, last year, during a charity search aimed at raising money from any finds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
He said: "I thought I'd found a bottle top, put it in my pocket and didn't bother looking at it again until later."
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
[Image copyright Portable Antiquities Scheme] The triangular gold mount, found near Fakenham, is less that an inch in width and length
So the item may be a fake then?
Good one!
Just fascinating, spent maybe an hour clicking through the links. Thank you.
what kind of village has no dwellings in it?
My pleasure.
My wife grew up near Norwich not far from Fakenham. I told her the next time we visit her clan still living in those parts we buy a pick and shovel and go hunting for GOLD...GOLD....GOLD!!!!! She told me where I can put the pick and shovel.
That is beautiful work!
Beautiful!
Saxon gold, you say? From the Norfolk AO, you say?
My family traces back from there. My gene stuff is so related to Saxons that my paternal grandmother’s maiden name was Saxon.
There’s old tales in the family about gold mounts that got lost or stolen way long time ago. I claim that stuff as mine. Who do I sue to get all that gol... I mean, my family heritage? Yeah. That’s the ticket. Family heritage!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
![[Image copyright Portable Antiquities Scheme] The triangular gold mount, found near Fakenham, is less that an inch in width and length](http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/B27C/production/_88229654_portable_antiquities_cttee.jpg)
