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BRIDLE BIT
Unique ID: WMID-CF5AA7
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete copper alloy Anglo-Scandinavian cheek piece, of Late Early Medieval dating (11th Century AD).
It consists of a projecting arm and is broken across a circular perforation (for attachment).
The object has been formed from one solid piece of copper alloy, with a long tapering arm and lobed end 7.1 mm in width. A moulded swelling is present on the front face, with a diameter of 9.3 mm. A small circular depression is present on the reverse of the swelling. Less than half of the circular perforation is present. To one side are two worn projections. All decoration is now worn and lost but would originally have been zoomorphic in style, incorporating the lobes and projections.
The cheek piece measures 53.5 mm in length, 19.4 mm wide and 7.5 mm thick. It weighs 15.6 g. Abrasion, caused by movement whilst within the plough soil, has resulted in the loss of most of the original decoration.
Similar artefacts have been recorded on the PAS database, including KENT-59B810, NMS-ED03D7 and SUSS-C989B3. This type can be classified as Type 2, according to Williams, 2007, 2 and is considered to be 11th Century, Anglo-Scandinavian in dating.
Reference:
Williams, D. 2007. Anglo-Scandinavian Horse Harness Fittings. Finds Research Group Datasheet 39. Find Research Group.
Class:
cheekpiece
Sub class: Williams Type 2
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Late
Period from: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Late
Period to: EARLY MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1000
Date to: Circa AD 1100
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 53.5 mm
Width: 19.4 mm
Thickness: 7.5 mm
Weight: 15.6 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 15th October 2014 - Wednesday 15th October 2014
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: West Midlands (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Staffordshire (County)
District: Stafford (District)
Parish or ward: Church Eaton (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SJ8314
Four figure Latitude: 52.72337727
Four figure longitude: -2.25313908
1:25K map: SJ8314
1:10K map: SJ81SW
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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