12-year-old boy finds rare Roman gold bracelet on dog walk

Image source, Chichester District Council

A rare Roman gold bracelet found by a 12-year-old boy while walking his dog is to go on display.

Two years ago, Rowan, from Bognor Regis, West Sussex, spotted the ancient artefact by chance with his mother Amanda in a field in Pagham, a village in West Sussex.

They took it to a local expert and it was confirmed to be Roman, dating back to the first century A.D, shortly after the invasion of Roman Emperor Claudius in A.D. 43.

The item will now go on display at the Novium Museum in Chichester from 10 September.

Image source, The British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme

Image caption, The gold bracelet has been described as "exceptional" and "relatively rare in Roman Britain"

Interestingly, this type of bracelet - unlike other jewellery in the Roman period - was likely given to a man rather than a woman.

It was likely awarded for military honour, or ''an award for bravery'', according to a statement from the local Chichester District Council.

The cuff is around 7cm long, but would be even longer if unfolded and is made from sheet gold.

Chichester District Council leader Adrian Moss said: "The story of the find itself is fascinating - it really goes to show that you never know what you might discover by keeping your eyes peeled when out and about!

"This piece will widen our museum team's understanding of Roman life locally and allows us to tell a different story from the Roman period."