THE largest hoard of Bronze Age gold ever discovered in Somerset went on public display at the County Museum in Taunton today (Wednesday, May 9).

Believed to date from 1300-1100 BC, the hoard was found using a metal detector at Priddy, on the Mendip Hills, and includes 17 bracelets and neck ornaments featuring some previously unseen designs.

County archaeologists believe the artefacts may have been an offering to the gods.

Each piece was deliberately twisted and bent out of shape before being buried, representing the sacrifice of valuable objects by the owner.

The council's head of museums, Stephen Minnitt, said the hoard demonstrated the sophisticated trade links in Bronze Age Somerset.

He said: "The Priddy hoard is the most important Bronze Age discovery made in Somerset for many years. The presence of the unrecorded bracelet types gives the find national significance."

The Art Fund, the Headley Trust and the Friends of Somerset County Museum all contributed to the £38,000 that helped secure the collection for Somerset.

Tom Mayberry, Somerset County Council's county heritage officer, thanked the various donors and said the hoard would become a key exhibit of the Museum of Somerset, which is seeking £4.8million of Lottery funding.