Stirling torcs

Stirling Torcs
One of the intricate torcs
MaterialGold
Period/culturec.300-100 BC
Discovered28 September 2009
PlaceBlair Drummond, Perthshire, Scotland[1]
Present locationNational Museum of Scotland

56°10′16″N 4°02′52″W / 56.17105°N 4.047779°W / 56.17105; -4.047779

A set of four torcs discovered in Perthshire, Scotland in 2009.
1 and 2) The two twisted torcs
4) A golden torc made from eight gold wires twisted together, intricately decorated terminals with a safety chain. Manufactured between 300–100 BC.
3) Fragments of torc apparently from southwestern France

The Stirling torcs[2] make up a hoard of four gold Iron Age torcs, a type of necklace, all of which date to between 300 and 100 BC and which were buried deliberately at some point in antiquity. They were found by a metal detectorist in a field near Blair Drummond, Perthshire, Scotland on 28 September 2009.[3][4] The hoard has been described as the most significant discovery of Iron Age metalwork in Scotland and is said to be of international significance.[5] The torcs were valued at £462,000, and after a public appeal were acquired for the National Museums of Scotland in March 2011.

  1. ^ "Iron Age gold torcs". National Museum of Scotland. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  2. ^ Claire Smith (2 March 2011). "Iron Age gold find saved for the nation". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  3. ^ "BBC News - Scottish treasure trove revealed". bbc.co.uk. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  4. ^ Booth, David; Hunte, Fraser. "Stirling Hoard: Re-writing Scottish history" (PDF). Garrett New Zealand. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  5. ^ Mike Wade (5 November 2009). "Treasure hunt novice struck £1m gold on first outing". The Times. London. Retrieved 19 November 2009.[dead link‍]