VESSEL

An incomplete cast copper alloy rim fragment from a copper alloy large posnet or cauldron of Late Medieval to Early Post Medieval dating (1400 - 1700 AD).

The rim fragment is irregular in plan, but rectangular in cross section. The internal surface is smooth and polished. One faint concentric ridge is present on the exterior. The exterior surface is unpolished and shows signs of finishing/filing. The original diameter of the rim is estimated at 16 cm, with 5% of the diameter surviving. This section is most likely from the out turned rim of a cauldron or posnet (See Fig 1 in Butler, Green and Payne 2009 for examples of the vessel type). The fragment has broken at the shoulder of the vessel, where the rim begins to turn outwards, which is known to be a weak point.

The rim fragment measures 36.04mm in height, 30.61mm wide and 3.32mm thick. It weighs 17.3 grams

The fragment is a dark grey / green colour with an even surface patina.

Body fragments of cast copper alloy cooking vessels are not an unusual find, but are strongly indicative of Medieval and Post Medieval activity in the area. Cooking vessels of this type were in use from as early as AD 1100 and slowly go out of use by 1850, after being superseded by cast iron pots and saucepans (Butler, Green and Payne, 2009, 1).

Reference:

Butler, R., Green, C. and Payne, N. 2009 Cast Copper Alloy Cooking Vessels. Finds Research Group Datasheet 41. Finds Research Group.