'All the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order': The riddle of the 'Pulborough Area' torc from Sussex.

The ‘Pulborough Area’ torc is a chimera: apparently made from the correct Iron Age material, using a valid construction technique and in a known form, however, the elements do not work together as an Iron Age torc. The alloy percentages would suggest the torc should be cast, and yet it is sheet; the decoration mimics continental examples from the 4^th century BC, and yet the method is virtually unknown in torc studies, even in wider continental Europe. The quality of construction is poor and yet the making – in relatively high percentage gold – suggests an investment in this artefact.

Here we argue that to understand the ‘Pulborough Area’ torc fully, we must understand where the torc was found and must also examine the exploits of Harry Price – psychic researcher, ghost hunter, author, amateur dramatist and archaeological forger – who lived in Pulborough from 1908 until his death in 1948. We believe Harry Price holds the key to the ‘Pulborough Area’ torc: his involvement could explain why the torc was made, and also why the torc was found beyond the distribution range of other Iron Age torc finds.