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SWORD

Unique ID: SF-4A2976

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Published

A complete iron corroded sword pommel of early medieval date. Measuring 59.19mm in width, 38.93mm in height and 15.34mm in thickness. The base is curved. The upper edges are shaped with a central projection which is flanked by two mouldings, these may have been zoomorphic originally but it is now impossible to tell due to corrosion. A small rectangular sectioned possible tang can be seen projecting from the centre of the base. This object has been X-rayed and on the X-ray it is clear that the pommel has a vertical hole through its centre and that there is a seperate probably tang running through this hole. From the X-ray it appears that the top of this tang is waisted and ends in a flat knop. As the iron is very corroded no further decorative elements were highlighted by the X-ray.

Notes:

Dr Kevin Leahy writes: This object seems to be best placed in Petersen's Tyle L, Wheeler's Type V. A date in the later ninth or tenth century seems likely and it is probably of English rather than Scandinavian origin.

Class: pommel

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Ascribed Culture:
Date from: Circa AD 850
Date to: Circa AD 1066

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 38.93 mm
Width: 59.19 mm
Weight: 107.6 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st December 2006

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Iron
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: Eastern (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Cambridgeshire (County)
District: South Cambridgeshire (District)
To be known as: Little Wilbraham

Spatial coordinates

Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Cultivated land
Specific landuse: Character undetermined

References cited

No references cited so far.

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: SF
Created: 17 years ago
Updated: 13 years ago

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