SCABBARD

An incomplete copper alloy Scabbard chape of the Iron Age period, dating from c. BC 100 - c. AD 50.

The object would have been broadly V shaped in plan and is broadly C shaped in section. The outer edge of the object is convex. There is a round edge at the top of the object which tapers in and curves out to form a semi circular bump on the outside edge. This tapers gently to the base where it forms a V shape. The right arm of the chape has been broken and is now missing, presumed lost in antiquity. The inner edge tapers out to form a triangular projection, this projection is decorated with a circular depression in the centre which may have held enamel decoration. Within this depression there appears to be shallow incised concentric circles, it is possible this is decoration, or they were put there to help the enamel hold in place. There is a smaller oval depression to the right of the circular one, it is difficult to see if this is decoration or corrosion products. Below the projection the inner edge curves sharply to form a comma shaped perforation, this probably would have resembled a tear drop design when complete. The inside edge of the object has a hollowed recess to hold the scabbard. Due to corrosion it is difficult to see if the object is decorated, areas of the patina are missing.

The chape measures 48.8 mm in length and is 24.2 mm wide. It has a maximum thickness of 10.9 mm at the left arm, and a thickness of 9.2 mm at the base. It weighs 17.2 g.

The object is a dark green in colour with an uneven patina and evidence of corrosion. Abrasion caused by movement whilst within the plough soil has resulted in the loss of some of the original surface detail. Other examples of this type of chape have been recorded in Kilbride-Jones (1980), page 118, fig 1 and 2, and Berkshire Archaeological Journal (1961), page 59 and Plate 1. This type of chape has been identified as part of Piggott's Group 2 which dates from the 2nd century BC to the early part of the 1st century AD (pre-Roman invasion). It is also similar in style to one recorded in Stead and Rigby (1999), page 108 - 9 and plate 153, no 2946, and has been described as a La Tene style sword, possibly similar to La Tene Group 1b, and Kosd type D. As well as similar to those discovered in Little Wittenham in Berkshire as recorded in Harding (1972), page 173 and Plate 79, D. These chapes come from narrow bladed swords and are Iron Age in date. Another similar example has been recorded on the database, SUSS-4B48D3.

References

Kilbride-Jones, H.E. (1980) Celtic Craftsmanship in Bronze, Croom Helm, London

Spokes, P.S, Horrocks, S.H, Swadling, M.M, and Wymer, J. (ed), (1961), Berkshire Archaeological Journal Vol: 59, Berkshire Archaeological Society, Lamport Gilbert and Co, Ltd, Reading.

Harding, D.W (1972), The Iron Age in the Upper Thames Basin, Clarendon Press, Oxford

Stead, I.M and Rigby, V. (1999), The Morel Collection, British Museum Press, London

O'Faolain, S. (2007), Categories of Evidence, in Koch, J. (2007), Atlas for Celtic Studies, Oxbow Books, Oxford (found on the Archaeology Data Service at pdf/Atlas/categories_of_evidence_compiled_by_O_Faolain.pdf, accessed 20 Jan 2016)