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Discs of gold

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From Barnhill, Broughty Ferry, Angus

Postcard of Discs of gold.
000-100-035-771-C
© National Museums Scotland

Discs of gold

These two gold discs, probably fancy covers for button-like objects, were found with a bronze knife in a cist burial at Barnhill at Broughty Ferry in Angus. They are similar to objects found in wealthy burials in Wessex, England between 1700 and 1500 BC.

These discs were made of two sheets of gold, beaten thin and wrapped around an organic core.

Gold is rarely found in Scotland during the 2nd millennium BC, even in wealthy graves. However, it is relatively common in prestigious graves in Wessex, and these discs suggest that the Scottish elite adopted fashions current in southern England.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-100-035-771-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 200
Date: Between 1700 and 1500 BC
Material: Gold, thin, beaten
Gold, thin, beaten
Dimensions: 1.38" D
1.38" D
What: Disc
Disc
Subject:
Who:
Where: Scotland, Angus, Broughty Ferry, Barnhill
Scotland, Angus, Broughty Ferry, Barnhill
Event:
Description: Ornamental disc of thin beaten gold, from a cist at Barnhill
Ornamental disc of thin beaten gold, from a cist at Barnhill
References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Cowie, T.G., & Foxon, A. (eds). Symbols of power at the time of Stonehenge. Edinburgh: National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland, 1985, pp 107, 109, 112, 186, 187, 281. 
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