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BROOCH
Unique ID: WILT-D39A70
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A fragment of Late Roman (AD 280-410) copper-alloy early form of crossbow brooch, known as a Light Crossbow brooch, missing a wing, the lower bow and catchplate and pin. It measures 33.75mm in length and weighs 3.49g.
The surviving wingspan is 17.2mm. The surviving wing is D-shaped in cross-section (being flat to the reverse) with a moulded and rounded rib to the front only at the end. In the centre a collared knob rises from the wings, also flat-backed. At the centre of the reverse is an oval recess which would have held the pin.
The bow is pentagonal in cross-section, being flat to the back. It extends from the middle and bottom of the wings.
The brooch is very similar to WILT-7459C4 and Hattatt no.498, found in Suffolk. It is also similar to no. 279 found at Richborough and dated AD 280+ (Bayley and Butcher 2004: 109).
Reference: J Bayley and S Butcher. Roman Brooches in Britain: A Technological and Typological Study Based on the Richborough Collection. The Society of Antiquaries London [page: 109]
Class:
Crossbow
Sub class: Light
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 280
Date to: Circa AD 410
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 33.75 mm
Width: 17.2 mm
Weight: 3.49 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: WHM 1530
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Marlborough
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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