Metal detectorist finds 3,500-year-old Bronze Age bracelet

A treasure inquest, held at Preston Coroners Court, heard Martin Colclough discovered the bracelet from around 1500BC when metal detecting at a farm in Barnoldswick.

The lifelong detectorist, who is part of the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley detecting club, was shocked when he discovered the “stunning” piece.

Uncovered at a farm at one of the club meets, on December 30, Martin described it as a “once in a lifetime” discovery and expects it to be valued at several thousand pounds.

He said: “I am pleased to find a mega historic item. It is just less than 3,500 years old and it beggars belief really.  

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and you will never find anything like it again.”

A report by the British Museum, read out by coroner Kate Bisset, described the piece as a single gold bar that is narrowed and bent into slight hooks, which have been shaped into five rings.

The rings were attached to the bracelet (Image: PaulGoodmanphotogrphy)

Similar examples have been found in Cambridgeshire and South Wales, but this is the first located in the North.

Martin added: “There have been two or three found in Wales or down south, which makes it important for any bronze age settlements around Barnoldswick.

“There are a few around there but none immediately close to where it is, and it was all in the view of Pendle Witches Hill.”

It was found just three inches below the soil and is believed to have been moved, possibly by farm equipment over the last century.

The patterns were deemed to be like the other examples and therefore fit the bronze age description with the coroner classing it as treasure, with an approach made by Preston Museum.

Ms Bisset said: “By conclusion, the objects contain some precious metals and agree with the terms under the Treasure Act.”

Other items found were unveiled at the inquest and included James Allan's discovery of coins on September 7 2019, in Gisburn, which date back to 1420.

The three coins were lost near one another which suggests they are likely due to a misplaced purse.

Mrs Bisset said: “The notion that in 1420 someone lost their purse and all their money in it and here we are in 2024 looking into it, it is such a magical thing.”

Due to being aged over 300 years, it met the definition of treasure and Mr Allan has been approached by Clitheroe Museum for the piece.

The status of a Medieval brooch, found in Habergham Eaves by Jeff Johnston in June 2020, near Burnley, was also discussed.

It was described as an angular brooch with a slight constriction with a pin with a raised line of pellet.

Dating back to the 13th century it was confirmed to be a treasure.

Elizabeth and Ian Bailey also stumbled across a lead disc and buckle, in Bolton-le-Sands in October 2022, from the Viking period and, due to their age, they met the criteria for treasure.

Kevin Birch found an incomplete strip of gold in Rivington, dating back to between 2200 and 800BC which had five punch holes.

The holes are 1mm in diameter and a tear is cut through the middle and has the composition to meet the criteria for treasure.

Micheal Wilson uncovered a silver guilt angular brooch in Bracewell and Brogden on October 22 2022, with the silver pin intact.

Expected to have been derived in 1200AD, the heart-shaped brooch met the criteria and the Craven Museum is interested in the find.

Uncovering the history of the pieces, it is the coroner's job to confirm whether it is considered a treasure. If it is they must be provided to the British Museum for a rate provided by an expert and the money is usually split between the landowner and the finder.