From the Knowes of Trotty, Huntiscarth, Orkney

Fragments of gold discs

These four gold discs were found at the Knowes of Trotty at Huntiscarth on Orkney in a burial which also contained amber jewellery and dress accessories. They originally covered conical 'buttons' or studs, and were objects of great value and prestige.

The discs are made of very thin gold sheet, decorated by stamping the foil from the underside. The decoration resembles that on Scottish pots. One disc is nearly complete and three are fragmentary. Analysis of the gold has shown that it is from Scotland.

Only the wealthiest and highest status people had access to gold and amber in Bronze Age Britain. Decorated sheet gold discs like these are also known from Ireland. The fashion derived from Continental Europe.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-035-725-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.EQ 129
Date:	2000 - 1500 BC
Material:	Gold; thin; circular; with concentric lines in relief Gold; thin; circular; with concentric lines in relief Gold; thin; circular; with concentric lines in relief Gold; thin; circular; with concentric lines in relief
Dimensions:
What:	Disc Disc Disc Disc
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Orkney, Huntiscarth Scotland, Orkney, Huntiscarth Scotland, Orkney, Huntiscarth Scotland, Orkney, Huntiscarth
Event:
Description:	Thin circular disc of gold with concentric lines in relief, from Huntiscarth, Orkney Thin circular disc of gold with concentric lines in relief, from Huntiscarth, Orkney Thin circular disc of gold with concentric lines in relief, from Huntiscarth, Orkney Thin circular disc of gold with concentric lines in relief, from Huntiscarth, Orkney
References:	Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, Andrew (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, pp 112-3, 190-1, 282.
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