Rights Holder: West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service
CC License:
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Unique ID: SWYOR-4BBF91
Object type certainty: Possibly
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A cast lead artefact, possibly a gaming piece of Early Medieval date, about AD 870 - 950, though it could also be a weight or a casting well of any date. In form it is sub-cylindrical, flat at the top and with a flat, sub-oval base that projects into a rim around the cylinder. The flat top of the artefact has a cross-hatched pattern of four crudely scratched lines dividing it into squares. The artefact has a dark cream patina. It is 13.4mm high, 15.1mm long and 14.4mm wide. It weighs 13.45g.
Compare SWYOR-8F29E6. Similar objects such as LEIC-F39697 and LIN-6BFDEB have been tentatively identified as Viking gaming pieces. This identification is more secure when the piece has a decorated top such as crenelations or a crown. Compare those published in Hadley and Richards (2018) In Search of the Viking Great Army in Medieval Settlement Research where it is argued that all the lead gaming pieces were made after the camp at Torksey in 872-3 and they do not appear to have been used much later, as they are not found in 10th century Anglo-Scandinavian deposits. This object could alternatively be casting waste, perhaps a well and runner from casting lead artefacts.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Anglo-Scandinavian style
Date from: Circa AD 870
Date to: Circa AD 950
Quantity: 1
Length: 15.1 mm
Height: 13.4 mm
Width: 14.4 mm
Weight: 13.45 g
Date(s) of discovery: Friday 19th February 2021 - Friday 19th February 2021
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Other reference: PAS form number: 003793
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SE3363
Four figure Latitude: 54.06189547
Four figure longitude: -1.49732099
1:25K map: SE3363
1:10K map: SE36SW
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.