The Contents and Context of the Boughton Malherbe Late Bronze Age Hoard

The Boughton Malherbe hoard of copper and copper alloy artefacts and fragments was found in arable land in Kent in 2011. It has been dated to c.850-750 BC in the Late Bronze Age. The hoard was buried in a pit in 344 pieces derived from no more than 340 objects, two of which were pushed inside other socketed objects prior to deposition. Previous references to 352 items relate to the condition of the objects as presented for the Treasure valuation committee rather than the real quantity of deposited remains. This paper sets out the full contents of the hoard, as deposited and their current state. Details are given of the condition and type of the contents and comparisons are drawn with other known contemporary objects. Initial results of investigation into the deposition and landscape context of the find add to the complex set of data for this impressive assemblage.