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SPATULA
Unique ID: BERK-15DBA0
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A cast copper alloy Roman wax spatula handle depicting the goddess Minerva. The handle takes the form a three-dimensional bust and is a typical example of its type. The facial features are worn, but the recessed circular eyes, protruding nose and flat mouth are visible. The figure wears a high-crested helmet. The neck is slender and extends into the shoulders and upper portion of the torso. Extending from the shoulder is a transverse slot and the remains of a iron tang from the handle. The reverse of the object is in good condition although some of the shoulder area is broken and missing from the lip that would have held the tang. A number of these Minerva spatula handles have been recorded on the database; Worrell (2003) and Crummy (2004) suggest a 2nd to early 3rd century date.
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Class: Feugère type A5
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 100
Date to: Circa AD 300
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Height: 38.89 mm
Width: 16.38 mm
Thickness: 10.35 mm
Weight: 21.4 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st January 1992 - Thursday 31st December 1992
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: 2011.194
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: West Berkshire (Unitary Authority)
District: West Berkshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Chieveley (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SU4773
Four figure Latitude: 51.454038
Four figure longitude: -1.324978
1:25K map: SU4773
1:10K map: SU47SE
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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