BROOCH

A fragment of a copper-alloy bow brooch of Roman date. Only the last c.41.66mm of the distal end of the bow, tail/foot, catchplate and return survive. The fragment weighs 6.30g. The bow has a triangular cross-section that creates a central lateral ridge. The two upper surfaces either side of the lateral ridge are slightly concave. The bow ends at the foot in a plain smoothly curving oval. The remains of the bow appears to have parallel edges that only taper very gradually until reaching the foot. The catchplate is triangular with a large triangular perforation. The catchplate starts almost immediately behind the tip of the foot and extends, centrally, along the underside of bow for c.27.93mm. The other edges of the catchplate measure 13.71mm x 19.71mm. The catchplate is 2.71mm thick. It is not possible to identify the type of Roman bow brooch that this artefact is due to its incomplete state, however it might have been a sprung dolphin (AD 43-65) or double pierced lug, also known as 'Harlow Type' (AD 43-100) due to the form of the foot and cross-section shape of the bow. These styles of brooch have an eastern distribution which fits with the find location of the artefact.