Torc · Early Bronze Age
Ingot torc
2100–1600 BCE, Únětice
The ingot torc is the open copper neck ring with rolled or hooked terminals produced in huge numbers by the Únětice culture of central Europe, about 2,100 to 1,600 BCE, and deposited in hoards of dozens or hundreds. It served as a standardised metal ingot and possibly a currency as well as an ornament. Alpine copper is the usual source.
| Object | Torc |
|---|---|
| Dates | 2100–1600 BCE |
| Period | Early Bronze Age |
| Cultures | Únětice |
| Regions | Europe — Western & Central |
Diagnostic traits
Open neck ring of copper with rolled or hooked terminals, found in hoards of dozens; also called Ösenring.
Identification
Ingot torcs are plain, round-sectioned rings of copper with tapered, rolled ends, unlike decorated Bronze Age and Iron Age torcs, which are twisted or ornamented and of bronze or gold. They are found in bundles. Weight is fairly standardised.
Reproductions and fakes
Cast and forged new for the market; genuine examples show forging marks, a layered green patina and sometimes hoard-fresh surfaces with corrosion products in the coils. Uniform paint-like patina indicates a fake.
Cite this article
Stratum Strata. "Ingot torc" (Artifact type). Stratum Strata pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21. https://stratum.black/strata/types/ingot-torc. Accessed 2026-09-21.
@misc{stratum-ingot-torc,
title = {Ingot torc},
author = {{Stratum Strata}},
howpublished = {\url{https://stratum.black/strata/types/ingot-torc}},
year = {2026},
note = {Artifact type article, Stratum Strata pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21; sources: stratum, commons. Accessed 2026-09-21.}
} Citations carry the pack version and the article's as-of date so they resolve to the same text later. The facts themselves belong to the sources listed below; cite those for the science.