Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: WAW-DFF5D7
Object type certainty: Possibly
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy fragment of a possible linch pin terminal dating to the late Iron Age to Early Roman period (c. AD 100 BC- AD 100). The object is cylindrical in plan with a worn break at one end and the lower end tapers to a flat section, which could represent the terminal plate.The object is incredibly worn and corroded with a dark green patina. No decorative features are apparent.
For a comparable example see PAS record SOM-116593. Here, Burnett states that linchpins were designed to hold a wheel on to a fixed axle. They have a long history in Iron Age Europe, but are a relatively late development in Britain. Common to late Iron Age metalwork in Britain, linchpins in this country develop their own distinctive decorative characteristics. The majority of linchpins comprise a copper alloy head and tip that are cast onto an iron bar, although a few 'all iron' examples are known.
The object measures 40mm in length, 14mm in diameter and weighs 18.49g.
Notes:
Photographs and dimensions kindly supplied by the finder via email.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: IRON AGE
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: IRON AGE
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa 100 BC
Date to: Circa AD 100
Quantity: 1
Length: 40 mm
Weight: 18.49 g
Diameter: 14 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 12th September 2021
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Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
4 Figure: SO5473
Four figure Latitude: 52.3531239
Four figure longitude: -2.67679522
1:25K map: SO5473
1:10K map: SO57SW
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.