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LAMP
Unique ID: DUR-9DFB21
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Probable stone Medieval cresset lamp, from the 13-15th centuries.
It has four rectangular faces with the top and bottom sides being sub-square. The top side has a circular hollow in which goes down about a third of the way. The base is flat with some grooves/scratch marks on, it is possible this is to do with use, rubbing on the base it was placed on. The top side has two bevelled corners at the front, this continues down almost the whole length of the front face. The front face then has two pyramidal protrusions just below the corners. At the base of the front face each corner has a triangular protrusion, similar to the ones above, but this time leading to the base. The back is thinner than the front and has a crack down the back face.
Notes:
The word 'cresset' is derived from the old French 'craicet', 'craisset' or 'cresset', a cup of metal or other material fastened to a pole to form a portable lantern. A 'cresset stone' was a flat stone with cup-shaped hollows, each being used to hold a quantity of tallow and a wick, which were burned to produce light. This was a common method of lighting churches in medieval times. It was also common to find such stones near doorways or corners where people had to frequently pass each other.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: County / local importance
Class: Cresset
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st September 2010
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Stone
Manufacture method: Hand made
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: North East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: County Durham (Unitary Authority)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: NZ2035
Four figure Latitude: 54.709621
Four figure longitude: -1.691113
1:25K map: NZ2035
1:10K map: NZ23NW
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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