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SWORD
Unique ID: WILT-D407A6
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete copper-alloy probable sword pommel probably dating to the medieval period.
The object has a mainly mottled green patina but with smooth brown patches on the raised areas of one side. It is in the shape of a zoomorphic beast. The beast has raised ridges at its 'shoulders' and 'pelvis' with curving indentations between these. There is a sub-rectangular recess which pierces the centre of the top of the pommel and widens to a larger sub-rectangle on the flat bottom of the pommel. At the opposite end from the head, there is a circular recess c 4mm deep and 6.41mm in diameter on the flattish area at the end.
The pommel is 65.76mm long, 24.32mm wide and 28.42mm high. It weighs 132.08g.
No direct parallel for the pommel has been found. The patina of the artefact suggests that an Early medieval, Medieval or post-medieval date. Dr Kevin Leahy notes that the zoomorphic figure is not in the Urnes style and consequently is not Early medieval in date. A Romanesque date cannot be ruled out although similar zoomorphic depictions are also found on late Medieval artefacts. In style the pommel bears similarities to some large wide medieval pommels.
Class: Pomme;
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1050
Date to: Circa AD 1500
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 65.76 mm
Height: 28.42 mm
Width: 24.32 mm
Weight: 132.08 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: SSWM 4136
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Bath and North East Somerset (Unitary Authority)
District: Bath and North East Somerset (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Stowey-Sutton (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: ST5959
Four figure Latitude: 51.32861032
Four figure longitude: -2.589836
1:25K map: ST5959
1:10K map: ST55NE
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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