Ornament horizon hoards have been rare in Dorset, and this is a particularly interesting example, aside from the rarity of the individual objects. It conforms to the pattern of combinations of weapons with practical and/or personal decorative objects in hoards of this period. However, the quality of two of the three objects is outstanding, and both the bracelet and the rapier are rare, elevating this group above the norm. It is unlike anything else recovered in Dorset. The incised bracelet is highly decorative, and stands out from plain or minimally decorated examples previously seen in the county, including one on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery. The find-spot of this example does however fit within a known distribution. These bracelets concentrate in the southern counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and West Sussex although examples are also known from Suffolk and Norfolk. Similar examples were found in the Ebbesbourne Wake hoard and a hoard from Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset.
The rapier, with its copper alloy handle is highly unusual, not only for Dorset but for Britain. The presence of a metal handle copying a wooden original is only possibly paralleled in Britain by a few examples, none of which are complete. A hollow cast decorated metal hilt is known from the Brighton/Blackrock Cliff Hoard and a solid cast example from the Ambleside Hoard, Cumbria. As far as can be ascertained at this time, no complete parallel examples are known. The plain style of the handle is similar to solid-cast Nordic rapier hilts, rather than contemporary objects of British manufacture. However it is possible that this example was locally made; the rarity of the object means that it cannot be ruled out. If this is however a Scandinavian object, or based on a Scandinavian design, that is of some considerable significance for understanding mobility and long distance contact during the Middle Bronze Age – something which has been demonstrated for the county for other prehistoric periods.
The rapier has been broken into three parts, a common occurrence for Bronze Age weapons. The rapier requires study to determine if the breaks are recent, incidental or deliberate as many weapons have been subject to deliberate destruction as part of the burial process. Objects from this period appear to have attracted deliberate acts of destruction. The rapier, potentially having undergone similar treatment, will complement more fragmentary and less unusual items in our prehistoric base metal collections in a county which is known for its prehistoric archaeology. It supports our aims to facilitate research and dissemination.
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery prides itself on its collection of Bronze Age metalwork, but this hoard contains elements which have not been seen in the county and would both stand out in the collection and add value to the material which we already hold, by demonstrating the broader range of quality, manufacture, design and origins. We do not expect to see a rapier of this type again. The Middle Bronze Age is archaeologically well represented in the county, but mainly through funerary monuments. The acquisition of this item will strengthen our ability to explain aspects of Bronze Age society, through public displays, teaching our volunteers and others, and broadening the collection so that it will be of even greater interest and use to researchers. This hoard compliments other opportunities to research base and precious metal Middle Bronze Age objects in the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery collection, so it is important to ensure that it is available for research. This hoard will sit alongside a range of other important contemporary objects which we have on display, and will provide a clear centre piece to our display of other Middle Bronze Age weapons, tools and ornaments, in particular as it provides an additional angle on the manufacturing methods used, which the displays already highlight. We would also be able to underline the idea of deliberate destruction with our visitors, as seen in some other bronze and gold objects, and enable them to think about why such actions may have been carried out by ancient people.