NHER 4137 (Find Spot record) - Sporle Bronze Age hoard

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Summary

In 1961 a hoard of Bronze Age gold objects were found on the surface of a field in Sporle. The hoard consisted of two bracelets and a flanged torc fragment. These objects dated to around 1000-550 BC and were probably concealed in around 700-550 BC. No other gold objects were found, with the only other finds comprising fifty-three fragments of scrap iron of recent date.

Protected Status/Designation

None recorded

Location

Map sheet	TF81SW
Civil Parish	SPORLE WITH PALGRAVE, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Full Description

13 April 1961. Hoard of gold objects found on surface. On east side of long 11 or 13 Acres Field. Site examined by Museum staff on 15 April by trenching and on April 18 by mine detector.
No further gold found - only fifty-three fragments of scrap iron of recent date.
Coroner's Inquest on 5 May 1961 - adjudged treasure trove. See (S1) and (S2).
Photograph taken by Eastern Daily Press and CM 1125 : M.1719 : M.1720.
Finds purchased by NCM.

Hoard consists of:
1. Bracelet of slightly oval cross section with slightly expanded terminals, weight 311g = 11.1oz.
2. Bracelet of lozenge cross section flattened on outer side weight. 39g = 1.4oz.
3. Flanged torc fragment - single spiral, weight 9.5g = 3/4oz.
One and two probably 700-550 BC, three probably 1000-700. Hoard probably concealed in around 700-550 BC.
See file for details and press cuttings.
R. R. Clarke (NCM).

Article missing from file [J. Yates, 18 November 2010].

Associated Sources (10)

--- SNF78653 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1961. Sporle treasure for Norwich Museum. 7 September.
--- SNF84874 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2012. Ancient gold has power to dazzle in our Olympic year. 30 June.
--- SNF78651 Newspaper Article: Eastern Evening News. 1961. Boys Find Treasure in Field at Sporle. 17 April.
--- SNF87258 Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Bronze Age. Sporle.
--- SNF57722 Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
--- SNF57204 Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TF 81 SW 23.
--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1> SNF500 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1961. Boys find treasure in field at Sporle. 17 April.
<S2> SNF78652 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1961. State to pay sporle youth for gold hoard. 6 May.
<S3> SNF3356 Newspaper Article: The Daily Telegraph. 1961. Gold hoard to be displayed. 23 December.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (2)

Object Types (3)

TORC (Middle Bronze Age - 1600 BC to 1001 BC)
BRACELET (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 701 BC)
HOARD (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 701 BC)

Related NHER Records (0)

Find out more...(1)

Sporle with Palgrave (Parish Summary)

Record last edited

Apr 26 2022 8:03AM