Record ID: SOMDOR-861648
Object type: BUCKLE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
An elaborate cast copper alloy buckle of medieval date. The frame of the openwork buckle is D-shaped, three dimensional and concave on the underside. It measures 35.23mm by 24.38mm by 18.24mm and weighs 11.33g. The back consists of a fairly thin flat D-shaped band of copper alloy, the straight edge of which is narrowed. The pin is missing. Projecting from the front of the frame there are three moulded animals, probably dogs, in Romanesque style. The central dog, which is standing facing left, is largest. The small dogs both face towards the large dog, all with heads looking forward. To…
Created on: Monday 15th May 2006
Last updated: Monday 19th February 2024
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SOMDOR-C43F76
Object type: FINGER RING
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete thirteenth or fourteenth century silver gilt finger ring. The bezel is square with rounded corners and measures 11.28mm by 11.45mm by 4.25mm. It is hollow with a square opening in the front, but the gem is missing. The surviving part (about half) of the hoop suggests a former diameter of 19.36mm, not including the bezel. The hoop is 3.62mm wide and 1.4mm thick. It is decorated on the exterior with alternating engraved lozenges and four-petalled flowers. The inside of the band is plain. The gilding is worn. Weight: 2.36g.
Created on: Wednesday 22nd February 2006
Last updated: Wednesday 7th February 2024
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Milborne Port area', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-B53702
Object type: BROOCH
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
A cast copper alloy annular brooch with inscription, probably dating from the thirteenth or fourteenth century. The diameter on the brooch is 22.65mm, the ring is around 4.7mm wide and it is 2.7mm thick. It weighs 5.74g. The ring narrows to accommodate the pin, which is 22.18mm in length. The loop of the pin is quadrangular with rounded corners and it has a slight collar. It then tapers to a point. The letters of the inscription on the front of the brooch are defined by short inscribed lines and each letter is separated by an area of light hatching. It reads POVERT and is preceeded by …
Created on: Thursday 9th February 2006
Last updated: Monday 27th November 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Cerne Abbas', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-378F61
Object type: HARNESS FITTING
Broad period: IRON AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
A fragment from a enamelled cast copper alloy Crescentic terret of probable late Iron Age date. The fragment measures 36.8mm by 24.6mm by 12.1mm and weighs 18.44g. It consists of part of the hoop and a 10mm length of the cast-in-one copper alloy bar, which is narrowed with a circular cross-section (diameter 6.2mm). Beside the bar the hoop has a sub-circular cross-section (diameter 11.9mm). This narrows to around 6mm internally, with a flat rectangular cross-sectioned exterior, much of which has been damaged. This flat part is decorated on both sides with red enamel, inlaid around raise…
Created on: Wednesday 4th October 2006
Last updated: Tuesday 21st November 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Corscombe', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-B82E81
Object type: STRAP FITTING
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Late medieval or early post-medieval silver strap-fitting or belt chape, U-shaped, cast with scalloped lower edge, raised ridge and central hole, three smaller holes above, perpendicular-style edging across upper edge. On the back, two studs for attachments, mark made by metal file cleaning up the cast. Approximately 2cm across. The rear of the object is covered in the curving lines commonly seen on items cast in moulds made of cuttlefish bones. Compare an engraved gold example with St George and the Dragon in The British Museum (Prehistory and Europe 1991, 6-7, 1). The style of the o…
Created on: Monday 17th July 2006
Last updated: Wednesday 20th September 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Pulham', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-171FB6
Object type: COIN
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
A copper-alloy Roman nummus of Constantine I (AD 306-337), dating to the period c.AD 313-314 (Reece period 15). SOLI INVICTO COMITI reverse type depicting Sol standing left raising right hand and holding globe in left. Mint of London. RIC VI, p. 140, no. 282; Cloke and Toone (2015), p. 208, no. 8.01.009.
Created on: Thursday 14th December 2006
Last updated: Tuesday 8th August 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Okeford Fitzpaine', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-29F941
Object type: PILGRIM BADGE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
A cast lead pilgrim badge of medieval date. The badge measures 49.11mm in length, 25.15mm in width, its maximum thickness is 4.45mm and it weighs 6.12g. The front of the badge is moulded to represent the bust of St Thomas Becket, indicating that this was a product of his shrine at Canterbury, Kent. The archbishop wears a mitre which has a raised central vertical panel on which there is an off-centre line of raised dots. The rest of the mitre is filled with cross hatching. The top of the mitre has been bent backwards but it appears to have been topped with a cross. The face has well-de…
Created on: Thursday 23rd March 2006
Last updated: Monday 17th July 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SOMDOR-59B168
Object type: ARROWHEAD
Broad period: NEOLITHIC
County: Cornwall
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A flint triangular arrowhead of probable later Neolithic or early Bronze Age date. The arrowhead has been made from a tertiary waste flake and there is pressure-flaked invasive retouch over both faces. The mid-brown flint has a mid-gloss patina. Dimensions: 22.9mm by 18.4mm by 5.3mm Weight: 2.09g
Created on: Tuesday 5th December 2006
Last updated: Wednesday 7th June 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Caradon', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-3396D3
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
The tip of a cast copper alloy socketed spearhead of Middle Bronze Age date. The fragment measures 56.05mm by 14.26mm by 9.56mm and weighs 19.48g. On each side there is a central linear ridge and the very tip is missing.
Created on: Thursday 11th May 2006
Last updated: Thursday 1st June 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ilchester area', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-33F9A1
Object type: SPEARHEAD
Broad period: BRONZE AGE
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A fragment from a cast copper alloy side-looped and socketed spearhead of probable Middle Bronze Age date. The surviving section comprises the central part of the spearhead, with the beginnings of the side flanges of the (probably) leaf-shaped spear blade at one end and the start of the two side loops at the other. The socket is circular in profile and tapers towards the blade end. The fragment measures 41.7mm by 14.94mm by 13.51mm and weighs 12.61g.
Created on: Thursday 11th May 2006
Last updated: Thursday 1st June 2023
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Compton Abbas', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-327544
Object type: DRESS FASTENER (DRESS)
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast copper alloy hooked fastener of probable 17th century date. The dress fastener comprises a sub-circular plate with one round attachment loop intact, the stub of a second and the third entirely missing. The three circular loops would have been spaced equally around the edge of the plate. Between two of the loops there would have been a rectangular eyelet, also now missing, which would have accommodated a complementary fastener's forward-curving hook. The moulded decoration on the front of the fastener consists of a moulded-in-relief cross of St George within a wre…
Created on: Tuesday 21st November 2006
Last updated: Friday 9th December 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Mareham on the Hill', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-D80221
Object type: PIN
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A silver gilt pin of sixteenth century date. The pin has been bent into a right-angle part way along its shaft. The diameter of the hollow cast pin head is 9.2mm, the diameter of the shaft is 2.1mm and the pin weighs 2.8g. The full length of the shaft when straight would have been c. 54mm. The pin head is divided into two hemispheres with a line of filigree. Each hemisphere is decorated with applied filigree circlets punctuated with spherical knops. One of the smaller filigree circlets and its central boss are missing from the lower (pin end) hemisphere. The pin head is gilded, with th…
Created on: Wednesday 29th November 2006
Last updated: Thursday 14th July 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'North Perrott', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-810598
Object type: COIN
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Nummus of the House of Valentinian dating from between 364 and 378 (Reece period 19). GLORIA ROMANORVM reverse type. Diameter: 17.43 mm Weight: 1.46 g
Created on: Friday 1st September 2006
Last updated: Monday 13th June 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Milborne Port', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-E2C846
Object type: PURSE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Part of a cast copper alloy purse frame from a metal-framed purse of late medieval or early post medieval date. Both ends are broken. The object measures 105mm in length and is bent in the centre. It has a circular profile around 5mm in diameter. On the underside there are four regularly spaced attachment flanges, perforated for sewing to the fabric purse. Only one of these survives intact. The others are broken, leaving worn stubs. Just before the break at one end there is a grooved line around the bar and at the other end there are two, and an adjacent chevron on the upper side. A s…
Created on: Wednesday 18th January 2006
Last updated: Friday 19th November 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Milverton area', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-E38DC8
Object type: PURSE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A probable terminal from a late medieval or early post medieval purse bar, which has been cast in copper alloy. The globular terminal, 12.34mm in diameter by 9.96mm in height, is moulded with four regular spiral grooves, which start from the uppermost point ('wrythen' decoration). Below the terminal, 14mm of the bar has been preserved. A similar knop with a longer length of the purse bar has been found at Riby in Lincolnshire (LIN-12B6B5). Weight: 6.68g
Created on: Wednesday 18th January 2006
Last updated: Friday 19th November 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Milverton area', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-FA4922
Object type: PURSE
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Just under half of a cast copper alloy purse bar of late medieval or early post-medieval date. The fragment measures 75.9mm in length and has a maximum width of 11.8mm. It weighs 23.05g. The surviving terminal is almost cylindrical with a wider, slightly convex distal end. Adjacent to the terminal, the bar narrows briefly then widens again into a longer section with an oval profile. A decorative panel occupies the outermost three-quarters of the bar; this is in the form of a pair of double-incised crosses, with a vertical border at each end. Black niello has been used to pick out thes…
Created on: Friday 13th October 2006
Last updated: Friday 19th November 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Compton Abbas', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-A06227
Object type: HARNESS MOUNT
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A cast copper alloy shield-shaped heraldic mount of medieval date. The mount measures 21.99mm by 16.99mm by 3.7mm and weighs 4g. On the front of the mount decoration has been formed by sunken areas which have been filled with enamel. The pattern comprises six annulets arranged from the top in two pairs and two singly. Above and on the sides of the upper pair of annulets there are a total of four linears which form a flat 'm' shape. Most of the infilled enamel has faded to a light green colour, although there are also traces of red, which may be the original colour. There are also trac…
Created on: Thursday 4th May 2006
Last updated: Monday 22nd February 2021
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Compton Abbas', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-F6E585
Object type: BULLA
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
About half of a cast lead papal bulla. The surviving part measures 38.2mm in diameter, 21.1mm in width, it is 4.2mm thick and weighs 28.5g. The obverse shows St Paul, with the inscription S'PA above. What is left of the reverse inscription, [---]E/[---]IV[-]/[---]IIII, suggests that the bull was issued under Pope Gregory IX (1227-41).
Created on: Thursday 19th January 2006
Last updated: Wednesday 27th January 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SOMDOR-A9D004
Object type: HARNESS PENDANT
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Published
An elaborate horse harness pendant suspension mount, cast in copper alloy in several pieces and gilded. The pendant suspension mount is somewhat distorted but formerly consisted of an 'M' shaped mount, approximately 40mm wide by 45mm high, from which hung three separately cast pendants. The two outer pendants, both shield-shaped and around 28mm (including the suspension loops, which are turned through 90 degrees) by 17mm, survive in situ. The central pendant is missing, but a parallel (see below) suggests that this was a small bell rather than another shield. The mount would have been…
Created on: Tuesday 3rd January 2006
Last updated: Tuesday 24th November 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Rodney Stoke area', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-3A3F42
Object type: COIN
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Published
Roman silver denarius of Julia Maesa (AD 218-222), SAECVLI FELICITAS, Felicitas standing left at altar, holding patera and caduceus; star to right. Mint of Rome. RIC IV, pt 2, p. 50, no. 271. The finder cleaned this coin after recording and a photograph of the clean coin has been appended to the record and the reading of the legend updated.
Created on: Tuesday 10th January 2006
Last updated: Monday 16th November 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Chilton Trinity', grid reference and parish protected.