A piece of treasure which dates back to the 1600s and is a "reminder of death" is one of seven pieces of history uncovered by metal detectorists in Cornwall recently. A number of items were put forward as part of a treasure inquest on 22 July. Other finds include Bronze Age arrow heads, an 18th century gold skull ring and a gold Bronze Age bracelet, which were all ruled as treasure by the coroner.
Laura Miucci said there were "a lot of prehistoric finds" in Cornwall and "significant finds". A treasure inquest is a hearing to determine whether objects found are treasure so museums can acquire them. One of the finds was a silver seal matrix, used to make an impression on a wax seal.
The matrix dates back to the 1600 to 1700s, and Ms Miucci said it was a "memento mori", which means to be mindful of death. She said: "When you look at the matrix you can see a skeleton holding an arrow pointing to the ground to suggest you will end up in the ground, we will all go to the earth, and an hourglass in the other hand." She added: "The 1500s to the 1800s we had this period where people are obsessed with death, cheating death and living as long as possible.
"All these different herbal remedies, as you can imagine lots of plagues around that time so you look to God, to religion to save you from dying too young. "That's what's so poignant about this matrix it's a memento mori, you remember you will die." Another item found to be treasure was a bracelet which dates back to the Pennard phase.
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