The Leekfrith Torcs: The Earliest Iron Age Gold in Britain

Streamed live via zoom, participants will hear directly from Teresa Gilmore – Finds Liaison Officer, for the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). The scheme is run by the British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales to encourage the recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. Every year many thousands of archaeological objects are discovered, many of these by metal detector users, but also by people whilst out walking, gardening or going about their daily work. Finds recorded with the Scheme help advance knowledge of the history and archaeology of England and Wales.

The Leekfrith Torcs

First the Staffordshire Hoard, discovered in 2009, rewrote the history books about Anglo-Saxon England. Then less than ten years later, another hoard found in Staffordshire is revolutionising our understanding of the Iron Age. In December 2016, two metal detectorists discovered the find of their lifetimes in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Not one, nor two but four gold torcs, found in close proximity to each other. Quickly realising their significance, they were reported and have since been analysed by experts and officially declared Treasure. This talk covers their discovery, reporting and analysis, revealing a deeper understanding of how important Iron Age Staffordshire was.

How it works? Once you have signed up to the lecture, a unique invite will be sent for an online zoom webinar, along with instructions of how to log on.