STRAP END

A complete cast copper-alloy late Roman artefact known as a 'nail-cleaner strap-end'; it could have been either or both. The object takes the form of a truncated lozenge and has a flat rectangular cross-section, with rounded edges. At the broken trapezoidal attachment end it seems that the object is split as is characteristic of a strap-end. Below is a pair of prominent crescent-shaped lugs, characteristic of the main group within this object type (Eckardt with Crummy 2006, 87; fig. 3). They are delineated with grooves as they begin.

Below the crescentic lugs the body expands to a maximum width of 10.0mm; from this it narrows gradually to the terminal (W.: 3.0mm). The terminal is squared off with a small V-shaped removal within a longer longitudinal groove on the upper surface. This gives the strap-end a slight fork or bifid end. Though the prongs of the fork may be too short to be effectual, it is clearly reminiscent of a nail cleaner. There is no such groove on the lower surface which is flat and plain.

By contrast, the upper surface is decorated with transverse ridges and grooves in a zone that extends from the top of the longitudinal groove to above the lugs. In the angles at the widest point is a punched ring-and-dot motif. The artefact now has a fairly even mid-grey/green colour. Examples of crescentic and circular lug nail cleaner strap-end from dated contexts come from late 3rd-/4th-century Milton Keynes, 4th-century Baldock and the 'late' phases at Richborough (Eckhardt and Crummy 2006, Table 1).