Iron age gold treasure found in Scotland

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - 13:07 in Paleontology & Archaeology

Metal detector finds 2,000-year-old treasure hoard worth an estimated £1m in field near StirlingA metal-detecting enthusiast has unearthed a 2,000-year-old treasure hoard worth an estimated £1m, it was revealed today.Four gold neckbands dating to the iron age were discovered in a field near Stirling by the amateur hunter. The man, who has not been identified, informed Scotland's Treasure Trove Unit which sent a team to excavate the site, the Daily Record reported.The bands, or "torcs", made from twisted gold, are thought to date from the 1st and 3rd century BC.A similar torc found in Newark, Nottinghamshire, in 2005 sold for £350,000. The Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel will value the latest discovery.A spokesman for the National Museums of Scotland said: "There has been a significant find."Under Scots law, the crown can claim any archaeological objects found in Scotland. Finders have no ownership rights and must report any objects to the...

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