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STRAP FITTING
Unique ID: DOR-DBE789
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A copper alloy Roman propellor shaped belt stiffener dating to the period c. AD 350 - 450. The belt stiffeners consists of a central roundel and two opposing triangular terminals, a circular perforation is visible in both of the terminals, however, the rivets are missing. The central roundel is decorated with two ring and dot motifs positioned either side of a central longitudinal ridge incised with a series of horizontal grooves which runs the length of the belt stiffener. The edges of both terminals have been irregularly chip-carved to create double or triple lobes.
The reverse is undecorated. It has a slightly irregular surface as part of the manufacture process.
The 'propeller' type of strap fittings is associated with the Late Roman Military, and extend into the mid-5th century where they are occasionally found in Early-Medieval graves. They are common site finds in the Late Roman period, especially along the northern frontiers (Bishop and Coulston 1993, 173-4, 3 and 5).
The belt stiffener measures 36.88mm in length, 15.76mm maximum width, 7.83mm minimum width, is 3.19mm thcik and weighs 5.89g.
This example has been published in Sparey Green, C, 1987, Dprset Natural History and Archaelogical Society Proceedings, Vol. 108, pp. 184 - 185.
Class:
Stiffener
Sub class: Propellor
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 350
Date to: Circa AD 450
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 36.88 mm
Width: 15.76 mm
Thickness: 3.19 mm
Weight: 5.89 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: CDH
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
County or Unitary authority: Dorset (County)
District: East Dorset (District)
To be known as: Sixpenny Handley
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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