RING

A copper-alloy ring or ferrule of uncertain date or function. The ring has a 'D'shaped cross section. The external diameter is 23.97mm. The band has a thickness of 2.60mm and width of 11.87mm. The internal surface of the band is slightly rough which might suggest that this was not used as a finger-ring but some form of unidentified ferrule. The outer surface is decorated with three parallel grooves following the circumference of the band. This decoration forms four raised parallel lines that gives the appearance of a coil. Weight is 10.5g.

Peter Reavill comments "patina definately suggests a prehistoric date - not sure that we can narrow down the function - it looks complete - rather than an eroded part of somthing - I assume it is cast rather than formed from a sheet (is there a welded scar on the internal edge?). Date is proabable Middle BA - late IA (1500 - 50 BC) which isn't very precise (although gut says either MBA ornament horizon / Taunton - but probably best broad brush MBA-LBA (1500-800 BC) or LIA (150 BC - AD 50). Not sure there is anything else that you can say- just describe it as a ring with cast 4 circumferential ribs - two within the body of the ring and a single on either edge - there isn't anything in Flag Fen publication which is where I always start for these - there is a ribbed finger ring - in Rowlands cat no 2021 (p431 pl 21)from Undley - Lakenheath - Suffolk which is similar but bigger / higher with more grooves. I wouldn't be drawn on function - could be a finger ring - but could be lots of other things - so probably best to use Object Type - RING".

This object seems to have been cast rather than formed from sheet metal and there is no obvious sign of a weld on the internal surface.