BH-F48C72: Early-medieval to medieval cross staff terminal (probably)

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STAFF

Unique ID: BH-F48C72

Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow status: Published

A damaged copper-alloy and lead artefact. Previously, these artefacts were thought to be sword pommels; however, in a recent article in 'Medieval Archaeology' (no. 38, 1994, p. 171-5), Simon Bailey has questioned this interpretation and suggested that they may be terminals from the bases of ecclesiastical cross shafts. This particular piece is very similar to an example from London (London Museum Medieval Catalogue 1967, p. 23, no. 2, described as a sword pommel), and to PAS record number DENO-CC4B34. The decorative styles of other pieces, for example BUC-69D596, suggest a date range of c.1000-c.1200 AD. The artefact takes the form of a three-dimensional openwork chamber which is circular in plan, flat omn one side and slightly domedon the other. The domed surface is decorated with a cross, which has a flattened hemispherical pellet at the centre, three smaller pellets on each arm, and a double ring of small pellets around the circumference. The other side is largely the same, apart from not having an inner ring of pellets. The face around the circumference is also openwork and has zig-zag-configuration struts decorated with small pellets. Extending from the top of the openwork chamber is a damaged, straight-sided socket with an opening at the top. Unusually for this category of artefact, the chamber has been filled with lead, which extends right to the top of the socket. It is hard to envisage how any wooden shaft could have been inserted into it. The object has corroded surfaces. It measures 56.9mm long, 51.7mm wide and 27.2mm thick. The weight is 364.1g.

Find of note status

This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.

Class: Teminal

Subsequent actions

Current location of find: with finder

Chronology

Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1000
Date to: Circa AD 1200

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 56.9 mm
Width: 51.7 mm
Thickness: 27.2 mm
Weight: 364.1 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 25th June 2008

Personal details

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Other reference numbers

Other reference: Ver 08/48 - 1

Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete

Spatial metadata

Region: Eastern (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Hertfordshire (County)
District: Hertsmere (District)
To be known as: Ridge

Spatial coordinates

Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
Current location: with finder
General landuse: Cultivated land

References cited

Author	Publication Year	Title	Publication Place	Publisher	Pages	Reference
Bailey, S.	1994	Two copper alloy cross-staff heads from Warwickshire	London	Society for Medieval Archaeology
London Museum	1940	London Museum Medieval Catalogue	London	HMSO	23

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: BH
Created: 15 years ago
Updated: 13 years ago

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