'Spectacular' Bronze Age arm rings found

Three Bronze Age arm rings have been discovered by metal detectorists at a site where a new electricity substation could be built, with archaeologists describing the find as "spectacular".

The gold artefacts were found on 23 May in the Blackford area north of Carlisle. Alan Daniels, one of the discoverers, said of the gold torcs: "This is like the holy grail of metal detecting finds."

Campaigners against National Grid's plans for the area say it should be designated a site of archaeologic significance.

Cumberland Council said that decision was up to Historic England, while National Grid said it would consider historical finds in its appraisal of the site.

Daniels and Andy Crammond travelled from Scotland to attend a metal detecting rally when they made the discover.

Daniels says initially they hadn't found anything out of the ordinary, only a "couple of old coins and loads of junk."

But when the pair uncovered the gold torcs they felt as though they'd hit the jackpot.

The rally was organised by Lothian Relics Metal Detecting which had been invited by campaign group North Carlisle Against the Substation and Pylons.

Organiser Gary Robertson says the torcs would have been worn on the arm and described having the chance to hold them as "incredible."

"We were expecting to find some Roman or medieval stuff, but never three Bronze Age torcs."

He believed the items should give the National Grid pause for thought, adding: "I don't think they can come and build a substation on land that is historical; there must be another avenue."

Dr Jim Morris from the University of Lancashire said the discovery was "spectacular."

"[Often] when we find torcs, we'll find a fragment," he said.

"But to find a complete one is rare, and three complete ones is even rarer."

He thinks the torcs were likely placed in the ground intentionally, either as part of a burial or cremation or in a hoard for safekeeping.

Archaeologists have long recognised Cumbria's connections to Ireland during the Viking period, but now Morris says the link may have formed much earlier.

"There's an awful lot of material coming in across the Irish Sea, into Cumbria and moving down the Eden Valley," he said.

"Going up the Firth and into into the Eden River is probably a major route in prehistory,"

Pre-Bronze Age discoveries during the construction of Carlisle's Northern Development Route and a solid gold torc found in Whitehaven support this theory.

David Coulthard, chair of Westlinton Parish Council, said the latest discovery made it "obvious" the location is "not fit for a substation."

"We feel clearly this site is out of reach given the historic significance of these finds," he said.

A spokesperson for National Grid said it carries out expert heritage assessments of potential sites and "any verified finds would be carefully considered within our appraisal".

Historic England said it had not received any requests to assess the site where the torcs were found.

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