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STIRRUP
Unique ID: BH-8DFDE8
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A copper-alloy stirrup-strap mount of probable 11th century date.
The mount is sub-pentagonal and bears an elaborate relief-moulded pattern. At the apex is a heavily stylised zoomorphic head, whose pointed-oval eyes are defined by grooves. This head bifurcates at the base, the gap being occupied by a possible second such head, also with a 'V-shaped' base. Each of the two vertical sides is occupied by a downward-facing beast, the heads of which project below the horizontal base. The bodies of these animals are sinuous in appearance. One leg of each animal is clearly portrayed; above this there are other possible legs, wings and tails; however, the bodies extend seamlessly into the apex, so the exact nature of the design at this point is ambiguous. The relief-moulded design borders a pentagonal central area which is flat and largely plain, the only exception being at the centre, where there is a shallow, 'leaf-shaped' depression. The design is punctuated by three circular apertures, arranged in a triangular formation. From behind the horizontal base extends a stepped flange. The artefact measures 57.6mm high, 31.6mm wide and 6.8mm thick. The weight is 20.56g.
David Williams classifies this mount at a Class A, Type 8 piece and illustrates 29 examples, most of which are from the south of England, with a few from as far north as Lincolnshire (1997: 47-51).
Class:
strap mount
Sub class: Williams Class A, Type 8
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Early
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1000
Date to: Circa AD 1100
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 57.6 mm
Width: 31.6 mm
Thickness: 6.8 mm
Weight: 20.56 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 9th January 2011
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Ver 11/13 - 1
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Cambridgeshire (County)
District: South Cambridgeshire (District)
To be known as: Heydon
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams, D. | 1997 | Late Saxon Stirrup-Strap Mounts: A Classification and Catalogue | York | CBA Research Report 111 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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