2011-05-09 14:59:25 Teresa Gilmore tgilmore 2011-05-27 10:10:00 Teresa Gilmore tgilmore LVPL-7F33B4 NAIL CLEANER An incomplete cast (or possibly wrought) copper alloy nail cleaner, of Roman dating (Mid-Late 1st Century). The nail cleaner is sub rectangular in plan, and flat in cross section. It consists of a sub rectangular bladem with tapering long sides, slowly widening towards the top. The blade continues into a sub lozenge shaped shoulder, before expanding into a sub circular suspension loop. The suspension loop is in the same plane as the rest of the nail cleaner. The suspension hole has been pierced off centre. The forked terminal, used for cleaning, is missing due to an old break. No decoration appears to be present on either side. The top part of the forked groove is still present on the reverse of the nail cleaner. It is a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Minor surface pitting is present, probably due to soil conditions in the burial environment. Numerous fine scratch marks on the front face appear to be ancient accidental damage rather than being part of a design. There is no trace of any surface treatment. It measures 51.16mm in length, 9.91mm wide and 1.13mm thick. It weighs 2.3 grams.Similar examples are noted from a number of Roman contexts, and Crummy has provided a basic typology of the examples excavated from Roman Colchester (Crummy, 1983: pp. 57-58). This Nottinghamshire find fits into her classification as Type 1b, as it consists of a simple type, with a more or straight flat, thickish shaft. The shaft is offset from the suspension loop, which is on the same plane and tapers to the points. This type is consistent with Mid to Late 1st Century AD dating (50 - 100 AD). Reference: Crummy, N. 1983 The Roman Small Finds from Excavations in Colchester 1971-9. Colchester Archaeological Report 2. Colchester Archaeological Trust. Colchester. An incomplete cast (or possibly wrought) copper alloy nail cleaner, of Roman dating (Mid-Late 1st Century). The nail cleaner is sub rectangular in plan, and flat in cross section. It consists of a sub rectangular bladem with tapering long sides, slowly widening towards the top. The blade continue... Copper alloy Cast ROMAN ROMAN ROMAN 50 100 9.91 51.16 1.13 Complete 2011-05-09 14:59:25 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE GEDLING NEWSTEAD POINT( ) From Finder SK55SW SK5354 29.06.2003 Metal detector 1 WMID Creative Commons Non Commercial Share Alike - The Portable Antiquities Scheme 2011 These records can be reproduced in a non commercial enviroment as long as the original recorder is cited. The Portable Antiquities Scheme info@finds.org.uk No fees are applicable.