A HOARD of Bronze Age gold dating back more than 3,000 years is glittering for all to see at the Somerset County Museum, in Taunton.
The treasure - the largest discovery of Bronze Age gold ever found in Somerset - was unearthed in Priddy, on the Mendips, by a metal detectorist.
The discovery contains 17 bracelets and neck ornaments, known as torcs, including some designs that have never been seen before.
Somerset County Council archaeologists believe the artefacts may have been an offering to the gods dating back to 1300-1100BC.
Every piece in the hoard was deliberately twisted and bent out of shape before being buried.
The Priddy Hoard went on display the County Museum from last Wednesday.
The £38,000 needed to buy the hoard came from donations, including £16,500 from the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and £14,250 from The Art Fund.
Stephen Minnitt, Somerset County Council's Head of Museums, said: "The hoard demonstrates the existence of sophisticated trade and exchange links in the county.
"It 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."
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