18 Jul 2020
by Tess Machling

I've been writing a Day of Archaeology blog for a few years and today's would normally contain lots about our recent work on Iron Age gold torcs, where we've been, what we've seen. But this year is 2020 and there is no 'normally'. The current pandemic has affected everything and archaeology is no exception. So I thought it might be fun to have a bit of light relief!

During lockdown, in the Prehistoric Society Facebook group (which I moderate), we started a daily thread to keep everyone's spirits up. We had prehistoric themes, numbers and a prehistory alphabet, which for me, inevitably became a torc alphabet. By the time we reached 'Z' I was starting to lose it. This was the result. I do hope you enjoy it.....

A Day at the (torc) Zoo.

Torcs are communal creatures and, in captivity, are usually housed in glass torcarium where they have space to roam and can be easily viewed.

They can, however, live comfortably with other artefacts - although placing a thoroughbred torc with anything less than equally high status artefacts may cause the torc to go on the turn.​

Torcs are active and like to be entertained, and so providing a climbing post... five torcs on a pole ...or climbing wall, will guard against boredom (... and save your furniture!). In the wild, torcs tend to be found in below ground nests, with many generations in each burrow.

Captive breeding has been attempted however, mismatched pairings can lead to the quite distressing and violent rejection of a mate. In captivity, torcs are regularly checked by torcerinary experts with their wellbeing and coat closely monitored to make sure the torc remains smooth and glossy. If needed, death ray - sorry XCT - investigation may be needed. Torc in an XCT machine Allowing torcs out for a run every now and again (see image of doting parents with their adorable baby) keeps them healthy and is a wondrous sight to behold and, if you gain their trust, they will sometimes allow you to give them a little tickle under the chin. (Oh, so cuuuute!)

In summary, torcs make the ideal pet. But it is important, before bringing a torc into your family, that you make sure you have the full agreement of the current Museum owner: I know from personal experience that re-homing a torc without permission can cause all kinds of problems. However, I am assured that, as a first time offender, my jail term shouldn't be too long......

If you'd like to know more about Iron Age gold torcs, please visit mine and Roland's website at The Big Book of Torcs(https://bigbookoftorcs.com)!

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