An ancient  gold personal ornament, which was found in Glemsford, near Sudbury (Suffolk, England), may date back to prehistoric times, according to The British Museum. Janina Parol, assistant treasure registrar at the British Museum, said Moyse's Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds, Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service and the British Museum were all interested in the ornament, which is thought to be from the Bronze Age.
     In his report, Ben Roberts, curator of European Bronze Age at the British Museum, said: "The probable bead is very rare for Britain and Ireland though a necklace of similar beads from Ireland is in the British Museum." The ornament was classified as treasure at a treasure trove inquest in Bury St Edmunds. Faye Minter, senior finds recording officer at Suffolk County Council, said it was discovered by Lindsey Holland, from Liverpool, who was at a metal detecting rally in cultivated land in Glemsford on September 25. She said there had been some deliberation over its date, but the unusual object is believed to be late Bronze Age, from 1,100 to 800 BCE.
     The ornament, which is probably a bead, is cylindrical in shape with decoration across it. Speaking after the inquest, Jude Plouviez, archaeological officer at Suffolk County Council, said: "I don't think we have found anything similar in Suffolk for example. It is quite an unusual one." Miss Parol said if the local museums could not acquire the item, then it would remain at the British Museum.

Edited from EADT (24 December 2010)