'Highly decorated' jewellery makes history
A medieval ring found by a metal detectorist in one of the Island's northern parishes was declared as treasure in an historic court ruling this afternoon (14 Dec).
In what he called an 'auspicious occasion', Coroner of the Treasure Trove Inquest John Needham, found the 15th century silver ring to be of outstanding cultural and archeological importance.
Under the Treasure Act 2017, which was last updated over 400 years ago, the court ruled the artifact qualified as such with a precious metal content of over 10%, making it the first to be declared under the revised law.
According to Alisson Fox, the Archaeology Curator for Manx National Heritage it is also the first find of its type on the Isle of Man.
Ms Fox, who took to the witness box, explained how the ring had had been cross-referenced by a retired expert from the British Museum to confirm the silver content.
It is unlikely to have been made locally and with inquiries still ongoing into its origins, the five gram ring is thought to be of English or Irish manufacture.
Gordon Graham who found it, believes it once belonged to someone of a high status.
Government re-advertising for new Director of Public Health
New Chairman at Ramsey Commissioners
Motorcyclist flown to UK for treatment after Ballamodha crash
Surge in first time buyers enquiring about mortgages
Air ambulance involved in Ballaugh collision response
Braddan Commissioners petitioning DOI for £475,000 for housing maintenance
