Spirals, especially in gold, were commonly associated with the Sun in ancient European cultures, with a loose spiral representing the long days of summer and a tight spiral, the shorter days of winter. The combined nature of this piece is unusual, and the two pieces were likely combined together at the death of their original owner, to be placed amongst their burial goods. In the early Bronze Age in Europe, burials became more individual, with the deceased laid to rest in individual, rather than communal, barrows. As a result, grave goods became more varied and personalised.
To learn more about art and culture in the Bronze Age, visit our relevant blog post: The Bronze Age.
