Golden cup from the Bronze Age
Average reading time — 2 minutes
Currently, a unique golden cup is on display in the British Museum. Experts say that there are only six such rarest exhibits in all of Europe.
In the photo: the golden cup was badly dented, but the deformation did not affect its value. The weight of the precious item is 183.7 grams.
The wonderful find was discovered by amateur archaeologist Mr. Bradshaw in Ringlemere on November 4, 2001. The found cup was a clear proof that trade relations were well established in Europe in the Bronze Age.
Scientists carefully examined the artifact and established the time when it was made: between 1950 and 1750 BC. It is not difficult to assume that this vessel was made by virtuoso craftsmen who had a command of the most advanced technologies of that time.
For a long time the cup remained in the ground, but since the rarity is completely made of the noble metal, it was possible to restore it. Modern methods of endoscopy, radiography and X-ray imaging were used.
In the photo: the entire cup is forged from a single piece of gold. The height is 112 mm, the width is 105 mm.
The shape of the ancient cup is unusual, with sub-conical body tapering to an omphalos base. The cup can be held by the handle, adorned with decorative ledges. The craftsmen demonstrated skillful ability to work with the precious metal: the surface of the goblet is horizontally corrugated with continuous protruding lines. Partially, the surface of the artifact remains smooth and shiny, only dots are neatly applied at the top of the outer surface.
The British Museum immediately wanted to acquire the valuable golden treasure, and this was done with the support of charitable foundations. The golden cup of the Bronze Age is on display in one of the halls of the famous museum.
Read also the article:
Man-made masterpiece of the Celts
