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BROOCH
Unique ID: SUSS-1162C3
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A cast copper alloy early Anglo-Saxon disc brooch, dating from the 5th - 6th century. A very similar brooch was recovered from a tumulus on Beddingham Hill (Nr. Lewes) and was published in Horsfield, T.W. 1824. The History and Antiquities of Lewes and its Vicinity, Plate V. Other similar brooches were recovered from the excavations at Alfriston (East Sussex). See Welch (1983) and Griffith & Salzmann (1914) full references below. The brooch is circular and flat, with no rim. It measures 30mm in diameter. It survives in an extremely good condition. The brooch depicts a central ring and dot motif - with one dot being surrounded by two concentric rings. Surrounding this central motif is a further six randomly spaced ring and dot motifs, each with one dot and one ring. Encircling this design are two concentric incised rings (now filled with soil and corrosion product). In between the two rings that is a ring of dashes resembling ropework. The outer edge of the disc are undecorated. The front surface of the brooch is very well preserved. It has a smooth, even patina, which is a dark jade-green. The reverse of the brooch is undecorated but the catchplate and pin lug survive intact. The pin is missing but a large lump of iron corrosion product has adhered itself to the pin lug. The brooch is otherwise complete.
Class: disc
Subsequent actions
Current location of find: Awaiting donation to the Barbican House Museum (Lewes)
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Anglo-Saxon style
Date from: Circa AD 450
Date to: Circa AD 550
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 2.4 mm
Weight: 11.7 g
Diameter: 30 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 2nd September 2006
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Iron
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: East Sussex (County)
District: Lewes (District)
To be known as: Beddingham
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griffith, A.F. and Salzmann, L.F. | 1914 | Sussex Archaeological Collections | Lewes, Sussex | Sussex Archaeological Society | 16-53 | ||
| Horsfield, T.W. | 1824 | The History and Antiquities of Lewes and its Vicinity | Lewes, Sussex | Baxter | 48-9, plate V | 10 | |
| Welch, M.G. | 1983 | Early Anglo-Saxon Sussex | Oxford | BAR British Archaeological Series | 555 & 577 | Fig: 39 & 61 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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