SPEAR

A wrought iron spearhead of probable Roman date, 50 -300 AD. The spearhead is irregular in form; the head is much more like a pilum being square in section and tapering to a point, however the overall form is very slender, almost lance like. The spearhead is best described as having a slender profile with a slight bolt like head with no discernable mid rib The blade has a tapering tip that is pointed; this may howvere be due to corrosion rather than design. The blade thickens along its length, remaining square in section. At a point approximately 5/6 along the length the section changes to being oval and from this point a ragged socket extends. The majority of this socket is lost due to its fragile nature and corrosion damage. A small V shaped area is open at the base of the socket; however this may again be due to corrosion rather than design. It is likely that the socket was conical in shape. The tip of the socket is filled with a concreted soil, heavily impregnated with iron corrosion. The internal diameter of the socket is 7.5mm. The spearhead is a mid brown colour with an uneven laminated surface which has revealed a purple brown coloured metal. There is also evidence of active corrosion present in a light orange (rust) evident on exposed surfaces. The spearhead is actively corroding and the surface is very unstable. This has resulted in the loss of metal and in time the piece will probably disintegrate - it is suggested that the artefact is stored in a dry atmosphere, using silica gel to maintain the environmental conditions. The findspot, within a garden that falls within the defensive vallum of a Roman Mansio suggests that this is of genuine Roman date and the good preservation can be put down to the nature of the garden soil in the area. A direct parallel for this example has not been found. The closest parallel can be seen in the British Museum (Mannings) Catalogue of Iron Tools, Fittings and Weapons. This example fits best with material dated to the mid 1st century from Hod Hill (specifically V114). However this example differs in that it is not bladed as the BM example seems to be. The BM example is paralleled against material from the La Tene culture of mid France. A longer date range is suggested for this example c. 50 - c. 200 AD

The spearhead measures 185mm length 4.6mm x 6.1mm at the tip of the spear and 13.0mm x 9.1mm at the base of the socket. The spearhead weighs 51.2 grams