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STRAP FITTING
Unique ID: DUR-9EAFC2
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete copper alloy strap fitting of medieval date (AD 1066-1300). The object is a two piece swivel consisting of two hemispheres with an internal swivel point which give the overall form of a sphere with a circumferential bifurcation. Each of the hemispheres has two, integral, projecting spurs, both of which terminate in old, abraded breaks. These projecting spurs would have continued into outward tapering loops.
The body of the object is decorated with two circumferentially running, incised lines on each hemisphere. Between the linear decorations is a repeating, punched "dot" decoration. Below the loops are, on the upper hemisphere are three punched "dots" and on the lower, two punched "dots".
The metal is a light green in colour with a corroded patina.
Such swivels have a potential range of uses including for animal leashes (dogs, falcons, etc.) hanging purses and sword belt fittings. They were probably in use throughout the entire Medieval period.
Similar examples can be seen on the Portable Antiquities Database: Unique ID: SWYOR-3B5E83, Unique ID: DENO-18B481 and Unique ID: WAW-60A0F6.
Class: swivel
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod from: Early
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Subperiod to: Middle
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1066
Date to: Circa AD 1300
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 35.28 mm
Weight: 19.5 g
Diameter: 15.89 mm
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Decoration style: Geometric
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: North East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: County Durham (Unitary Authority)
District: County Durham (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Raby with Keverstone (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: NZ1322
Four figure Latitude: 54.59302273
Four figure longitude: -1.80032722
1:25K map: NZ1322
1:10K map: NZ12SW
Grid reference source: From a paper map
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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