STRAP END

An incomplete cast copper alloy late Roman 'amphora-shaped' strap end. It is complete except for the splayed, square ended, split attachment end that is missing due to old breaks. The strap end is flat with faceted edges and flares around broad sloping 'shoulders' before tapering to a pointed terminal end that has a small knop. At the attachment end are the remains of two horizontal projections and the start of two circular perforations where the 'handles' of the amphora would have begun, but which are now missing due to old breaks. The exterior surface of the strap end is decorated with a central ring and dot motif comprising two concentric circles and a central dot. It is outlined by a row of punched dots that traces the shape of the amphora. At regular intervals around the edges, and within the border of dots, are six smaller ring and dot motifs. A vertical line of punched dots connects one of the ring and dot motifs at the terminal end with the central decoartive motif . There is perhaps a corresponding, but smaller, line of dots at the attachment end. The underside of the strap end is undecorated, but crudely cast and finished. This object measures 56.62mm in length, 31.89mm in width, 4.59mm in thickness, and weighs 29.65g. Strap ends of this kind were probably of Roman military usage and several examples have been found in Suffolk, for example at Barrow (SF-149C21), Melton (SF-123771) and at Sutton (SF-BFAB47). They are Late Roman in date (3rd-4th century AD) and often found in excavated Roman military contexts and sometimes in later Saxon contexts (see for example Hawkes and Dunning, 1961). This example has some similarities with Hawkes and Dunning's Type V A strap ends (Hawkes and Dunning, 1961: pp. 63).