Teaching PrehistoryIron Age Torcs
A learning resourcefor the classroom
Created byYork Museums Trust
SO WHAT ARE IRON AGE TORCS?
Teachers notes : Classroom activity : Images/Video
001
Let’s have a look at two Torcsfrom the Yorkshire Museum
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What do you thinkthey are?
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Watch the video to find out more and
answer the questionnaire
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What are iron age torcs?Q 1001
A torc is a piece of jewellery worn around the neck, arm or wristA 1
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How old are they?Q 2001
The torcs date from 100 – 50BC, making them about 2,100 years oldA 2
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Why are they important?Q 3001
These two torcs are the first gold jewellery from the Iron Age period found in
YorkshireA 3001
Where were they found?Q 4001
The torcs were found at Towton, near Tadcaster, by metal detecting enthusiastsA 4
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What are they made of?Q 5001
Both torcs are made of gold. The amount of gold in them varies:
One of them is made of 80 – 84% gold. The other is made of 55% goldA 5
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How were Iron Age Torcs
made?Teachers notes : Classroom activity : Images/Videos
002
Watch the video andanswer the questionnaire
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How were they made?Q 1002
Torcs were made by twisting long rods of metal together.
The Towton torcs are made from gold, but other torcs have been found made from
iron, silver and bronze. A 1002
How do the two torcs differ?Q 2002
One was made by simply twisting two wires together. The ends of the wires have been looped and soldered to form closed
loops. The other torc was made by taking two wires and plaiting them together in a
slightly more complex design. A 2002
Making your ownIron Age Torc
Teachers notes : Classroom Activity : Classroom Activity materials list : Images/Videos
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Watch the video andthen make your own!
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Use the instruction sheetProvided to help you
make your torc
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Where can I see real Iron Age Torcs
Teachers notes : Images/Videos
004
YORKSHIRE MUSEUM
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