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Kemmelberg

Photo Focus: Celtic Pendant

by J L Putman & M Soenen

 

Pendant with bronze cylinders
Photo © H Hameeuw, RAMS

A curious decorative element to have been found on the Kemmelberg is an incomplete pendant which consists of a series of full bronze cylinders and bronze wire. The original length would have been 5cm. In total, the pendant would have consisted of ten cylinders which form three squares, each with four cylinders on three loops of the underlying wire.

Pendant with bronze cylinders
At the top there may have been an eyelet at the end. At the bottom, the broken wires suggest that at least two more horizontal cylinders and one vertical cylinder belonged to it, along with an extra loop of the underlying bronze wire.

Micro CT-scan
Photo © M Dierick, UGCT UGent

Micro CT-scan
The colour differences in the micro-scan indicate the differences in the composition of the wire pieces and of the series of vertically and horizontally orientated cylinders.

CT-scan
Photo © M Dierick, UGCT UGent

CT-scan
Here it can be seen that all cylinders are placed along the same side of the plane which is formed by the curved wire. Each time they were welded to the cylinders between two decorative ribs.

 

 

Text copyright © Archeo Kemmelberg. An original feature for the History Files: Kemmelberg.