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AMPULLA

Unique ID: SOM-36CAC6

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

A complete medieval ampulla. The object survives in relatively good condition, though flattened. It has the common 'amphora' shape, with two lugs either side of the neck forming very small handles. One face is decorated with a scallop shell design on the body, with a cross-hatched design above. The scallop shell was an emblem associated with St James the Greater and one that was so popular from the 11th century onwards that it eventually became a generic emblem for the act of pilgrimage itself (Spencer, 1998, 41). Canterbury first adopted the deign as its emblem on earlier ampullae. However, it was later used at a number of other shrines too (Spencer 1998, 41). The other face is decorated with a raised circle devided into four sections with a small dash in each one, surmounted by a cross with two 'V' shapes either side. Spencer (1998, 3) suggests that ampulla were popular in England from the second half of the 12th century until the early 14th century, when they were largely replaced by badges as the most popular type of pilgrimage momento. The metal is greyish-white in colour and slightly pitted. Length:47.4mm, width:36.3mm, thickness:5.5mm Weight:34.5g

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1150
Date to: Circa AD 1350

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 47.5 mm
Width: 36.3 mm
Thickness: 5.5 mm
Weight: 34.5 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 25th November 2008

Personal details

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Other reference numbers

Other reference: Entry 020357

Materials and construction

Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: South West (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Somerset (County)
District: Sedgemoor (District)
To be known as: Near Bawdrip

Spatial coordinates

Grid reference source: From finder
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

Author	Publication Year	Title	Publication Place	Publisher	Pages	Reference
Spencer, B.	1998	Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges	London	Medieval Finds from Excavations in London 7	3,41

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: SOM
Created: 13 years ago
Updated: 11 years ago

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