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BRIDLE BIT
Unique ID: SWYOR-953217
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete iron object, a bridle bit of probable Medieval date. It comprises two components; part of the cheekpiece and one link of a two link snaffle bit. The cheek piece is of Ward Perkins type C; a straight bar with a D shaped loop in the centre. Only half of the bar and the stubs of the loop survive. The bit link is a curved bar with a loop at each end which are not in the same plane as each other. One loop is complete and is corroded in place round the bar of the cheekpiece between the stubs of the loop. The bit link is of Ward Perkins type II. The iron is very corroded and encrusted, so it is not possible to tell what the original section shapes were.
The bit can be compared to number A 1514 on page 82 of the London Museum Medieval Catalogue (1940). However, such functional objects change very little through history so are difficult to date. Record SF-36AEA5 is a bit of similar design and it notes that "Similar objects are noted from Early-Medieval/Anglo-Saxon burials in the form of bridle bits that are similar in both form and dimension, and dated to the 7th or 8th centuries AD (Geake, 1997: fig. 4.43).". It could also be of Roman or Post Medieval date.
Class: snaffle
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: UNKNOWN
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 97.1 mm
Width: 23 mm
Thickness: 16.8 mm
Weight: 44.79 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 7th May 2012
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: PAS form number 1859
Materials and construction
Primary material: Iron
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: York (Unitary Authority)
District: York (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Fulford (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SE6048
Four figure Latitude: 53.924668
Four figure longitude: -1.087812
1:25K map: SE6048
1:10K map: SE64NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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