Descriptions

One of seven fragments of Bronze Age copper alloy ingots found together in a hoard which dates to around 3000 years ago. Ingots such as these were cast in a dish-shaped mould and are flat on one side and rounded on the other - they are often referred to as ‘bun’ ingots because of their shape. Ingots of raw metal were transported and traded around Britain and Europe during the late Bronze Age. They were broken up into fragments like these to make it easier to melt them for casting into tools and weapons.
Analysis of ingots, such as these, has the potential to tell us more about patterns of trade and exchange in Bronze Age Europe.


This object is not on display.