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The Snettisham Treasure

The great Iron Age hoards uncovered at Snettisham in Norfolk form the richest Iron Age treasure ever discovered in this country.

The Marriage Torc , the upper part of the terminal of this gold torc shows a stylised human face. Does the main terminal represent a symbolic belly with a gold ring representing the umbilical cord that attaches to the other terminal?

The treasure was first discovered in 1948 and recognised as a gold torque, which is now in The London Museum with duplicates in the Norwich Museum. Later finds were made in 1950, 1964, 1968 and 1973.

In 1990 Squadron Leader Hodder discovered 7 silver and bronze torques were found and later two silver and finally ten gold torques. The torques and coins were dated as Celtic the majority of the coins being Gallo-Belgic imports as well as some early types. The early types were dated around 70BC. It is speculated that the treasure may be the royal treasury of the ruling house of the Iceni or their predecessors.

Boudicca (died c.AD60)

Boudicca was queen of the Iceni people of Eastern England and led a major uprising against occupying Roman Forces. She and her warriors successfully defeated the Roman Ninth Legion and destroyed the capital of Roman Britain, then at Colchester. They went on to destroy London and Verulamium ( St Albans). Thousands were killed. Finally, the Roman army led by Paulinus defeated Boudicca. Many Britons were killed and Boudicca is thought to have poisoned herself to avoid capture. The site of the battle, and of Boudicca’s death, is unknown.
 

The Iceni were a tribe of British Celts living in the area of modern Norfolk and north-west Suffolk. A modern construction of an Iceni village is open to the public at Cockley Cley, near Swaffham, Norfolk.