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PLUMB BOB
Unique ID: HAMP-AFD5C8
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
An incomplete copper alloy possible plumb bob, of perhaps Roman date (AD 43-410). The attachment end is damaged and carries the remains of a separate iron shank. It measures 24.5mm in length/ height, 26.8mm in diameter and weighs 46.87g.
The object is bi-conical in shape with a circular collar at the centre of the flat surface, 17.2mm in diameter and 5.5mm tall. It is from this an iron tang extends 7.9mm in length and 5.8mm thick. It extends 2.5mm from the collar where it terminates in a worn break. The collar has also suffered some (old and worn) damage around its circumference and its edges are defined by a slight ridge or 'step'.
The edges of the flat base of the cone are rounded, extending into the angled surface and to the apex. From the apex to the rounded edge is, in one spot only, a 1mm deep V-sectioned groove, c.2mm wide. With this aligned at 12 o'clock, there is a 8.6x4.8mm 'tear-drop' shaped indentation at 8 o'clock.
The apex is slightly flattened.
Notes:
Cf. Appels & Laycock, 2007; 142, Fig.AA15.29 and AA15.30, from Eastern Slavonia. The plumb bob may have been part of a groma, ' the main Roman surveying instrument. The instrument itself was of a very simple design, having crossed arms which rested on a bracket attached to a vertical pole. The four arms each had a cord with a hanging plumb bob attached' (ibid.).
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
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 410
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 24.5 mm
Height: 24.5 mm
Width: 26.8 mm
Thickness: 26.8 mm
Weight: 46.87 g
Diameter: 26.8 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st January 2015 - Tuesday 21st April 2015
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Hampshire Museums Entry Form 4272
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Secondary material: Iron
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Basingstoke and Deane (District)
To be known as: Whitchurch
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appels, A. and Laycock, S. | 2007 | Roman Buckles and Military Fittings | Witham | Greenlight Publishing | 142 | Fig.AA15.29 and AA15.30 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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