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HARNESS FITTING
Unique ID: WMID-BAC257
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete copper alloy harness fitting of Roman dating (AD 43 to AD 300).
The harness fitting is concave. The fitting consists of a central lunate shape, with two probably complete sub triangular wings at the top. A sub circular suspension hole is present at the top of the lunate, between the two wings. It has an internal diameter of 2.3 mm. Continuing down the sides of the lunate, double attachment holes are present on either side, projecting from the side of the lunate on a sub triangular plate. These attachment holes have an internal diameter of 2.0 mm. At the base of the lunate is a sub rectangular collar, below this is a sub oval panel. In the centre of this panel, an erect phallus extends. An attachment or suspension hole is present underneath the phallus and it has an internal diameter of 1.8 mm.
The harness fitting measures 54.2 mm in length, 47.2 mm wide and 13.2 mm thick (including phallus), 7.5 mm thick (not including phallus). It weighs 23.0 g.
The fitting is a dark brown colour, with an uneven surface patina. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in a loss of some of the original surface detail.
A similar harness fitting has been recorded on the PAS database as HAMP-BEFA01.
Find of note status
This is a find of note and has been designated: County / local importance
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 300
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 54.2 mm
Width: 47.2 mm
Thickness: 13.2 mm
Weight: 23 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st January 2015 - Saturday 31st January 2015
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: West Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Staffordshire (County)
District: South Staffordshire (District)
Parish or ward: Penkridge (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SJ9111
Four figure Latitude: 52.69660247
Four figure longitude: -2.13460886
1:25K map: SJ9111
1:10K map: SJ91SW
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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Timeline of associated dates
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