A gold ring dating back to the Bronze Age has been discovered by a metal detector.

The treasure, believed to date back to 800BC, was found by Paul Willis in Hambleden, Henley-on-Thames, on June 5, 2022. 

The item was officially declared as treasure at an inquest at Beaconsfield Coroner's Court on Wednesday, May 17. 

The inquest heard how the hobbyist came across the small ring while metal detecting on private land with the landowner’s permission.

Mr Willis handed the rare find to experts.

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Further investigations by finds liaison officer Edward Caswell revealed it was an early Bronze Age gold ribbon described as ‘practically complete finger ring’, Coroner Ian Wade said.

It is believed to date as far back as 2000 BC to 800 BC, but the exact time is unknown.

The coroner described the item as being a ‘rectangular strip of gold sheet.’ It has two broadly flat terminals, one of which is slightly damaged. It weights 1.98g and is approximately 27.2mm long, and 6.5mm thick.

Under the Treasure Act 1996 all objects over 300 years old and containing more than 10 percent of precious metal are classified as treasure.

Finders of items believed to be historical treasures are legally required to hand them in. Not reporting a treasure carries an unlimited fine or up to three months in prison.